Content about Forest Stewardship Council

SFI Inc., the non-profit organization that oversees the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program, has issued a statement criticizing the third and latest draft of LEED 2012 for only issuing LEED points or credits for certified wood that is “FSC or better.”

SFI maintains that the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which administers the LEED program, continues to put up artificial barriers, shutting out 75% of North America’s forests that are certified by programs other than the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

On the value of FSC certification


“It is pay to play. Consumers have bought into the deal. If you fill out forms, pay fees to an offshore entity in Europe, you are good to go.”

— Todd Wilfong 
M4L Inc.

Hershey, Pa.



“I do not know of any customers asking about any wood certification of any kind. If selling FSC lumber were the only way that I could sell lumber, I’d switch to plastic!” 

— Seth Arluck

New Hampton Lumber Co.


After ProBuild advanced its FSC-certified lumberyard count to 59, HCN solicited comments on the FSC certification in general. Here's what we heard.

Throughout the downturn of the last four years or so we have seen the lumber and building materials industry shrink dramatically. Some estimates of sales shrinkage at the dealer level put it beyond 50%. In some markets, that estimate is absurdly low. There is no denying that everyone in all segments and steps in the chain is battered. Unfortunately, even the homeowner/consumer is somewhat damaged as well. 


CraftMaster molded door designs and full line of solid core CraftMaster Green Doors have been certified by Scientific Certification Services (SCS) to contain a minimum of 70% pre-consumer recycled wood content.

CMI uses sawmill chips generated as residual waste from sawmill operations and field chips to make CraftMaster door designs, which are used to make CraftMaster Green Doors.