Expose "Sustainable" Forestry Initiative's Greenwash

The SFI label is approving environmentally irresponsible forestry practices. Despite its ‘Good for you. Good for our forests.’® logo, SFI certifies logging practices that have a disastrous impact on North American forests. SFI’s rules do not require any work, within areas they certify as ‘good’, to restore forests that are essential for the survival of rare wildlife.

The average clearcut approved by SFI is the size of 90 football fields. Whether it’s the ‘average’ SFI-approved clearcut, or bigger, the cumulative impacts to watersheds, water quality and soil productivity are often permanent. SFI allows excessive use of toxic chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides that contaminate fresh water.

The SFI certification has actually promoted its program by saying it does not prohibit logging in old-growth forests, wild areas that do not currently have roads, or other places in which ecological values are especially rich. In reality, it approves endangered forest destruction. Greenwash harms forests and undermines the hard work of those, including some companies, to protect forests. It’s time to stop the phony SFI eco-label in its tracks.

Learn more in our SFI photo essay >>