You might’ve seen that we claim that our wooden accessories are made from sustainable wood. You also may have even seen that we say our wood comes from FSC-certified forests. But what does this all mean?
By the end of this article, you should feel reassured that purchasing a Joycoast accessory means purchasing a sustainable accessory.
What is sustainable wood?
Sustainable wood is wood that has been harvested from a forest that has managed to have a continuous supply of wood while upholding the health and biodiversity of the ecosystem. Selective harvesting of mature trees and replanting are two ways that a forest can be sustainably harvested.
What is an FSC-certified forest?
According to fsc.org, ‘The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. Since its foundation in 1994, FSC has grown to become the world’s most respected and widespread forest certification system.’
FSC’s forests provide a trusted solution that helps protect the world’s naturally occurring forests and tackles today’s challenges with deforestation, climate, and biodiversity.
For a forest to be considered FSC-certified, they have to uphold ten internationally recognized principles as well as comply with many other country-specific criteria. These principles require forest managers to:
Maintain, conserve and/or restore ecosystem services; maintain or enhance the social and economic wellbeing of workers; and to identify and uphold Indigenous Peoples’ legal and customary rights of ownership, use and management of land, territories and resources.
‘Currently, over 150 million hectares of forest worldwide is certified according to FSC standards, designed to address a broad range of environmental, social, and economic factors.’
How sustainable is wood compared to steel or other metals?
Wood is a renewable resource with a low carbon footprint leaving a minimal environmental impact compared to steel and other metals. The level of carbon emissions from wood production is less than 100 kg of CO2 per 1000 kg produced, compared with over 2000 kg for steel.
Though steel is recyclable, the energy required to do this is high, making it less sustainable than its wooden counterparts.
Why sustainable wood matters
Choosing sustainable wood isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about making better choices for the planet. By sourcing FSC-certified wood, we’re helping support forests that are managed responsibly and treated as renewable resources. It’s a small way we can lower our environmental impact while creating one-of-a-kind wooden accessories for you and your loved ones.
Sustainability also shapes how we design. Choosing woods that are responsibly harvested means working with what nature gives us — unique grain patterns, tonal variations, and textures. That unpredictability is part of the charm. Each piece is a small, wearable reminder that great design doesn’t need to compromise the environment.
It’s not a perfect system, but it’s a meaningful step in the right direction.
