(November 28, 2008) R and R Images, Inc., located in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately owned, digital communications company. Operating for over 21 years, R and R Images strives for success through a forward-thinking philosophy that includes environmentally friendly policies in our operations. We print a variety of online automated workflows, including custom books, marketing material, personalized print products, and direct mail. We have earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody certification from the Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood program. This certification reflects a growing trend in the paper and printing industry of companies making more environmentally and socially responsible supply chain decisions.

"We take pride in our work and understand the importance of complying with the highest social and environmental standards on the market. As public concern about the state of the world's forests and timber resources increases, the FSC provides us with a simple solution to complex environmental and social issues. And we wouldn't have anything less."
Rod Key, Founder and CEO of R and R Images

The FSC is the global standard-setter in responsible forest management. Chain-of-Custody certification guarantees that wood that comes from certified, responsibly managed forestlands is tracked throughout the supply chain, from the forest to the consumer. Conscientious consumers can look for the FSC logo on wood products to know they are supporting forest management that protects biodiversity and supports local communities.

About 40 percent of all commercially traded timber globally is used to produce paper, according to the FSC. And paper consumption is expected to grow by about 50 percent in the next few years. The US is the biggest market for paper products globally, producing 90 million tons of paper and consuming 100 million tons of paper each year, according to the FSC.

The paper and printing industries have made big strides recently in focusing on responsible supply chain decisions. In the past few years, several hundred pulp providers, mills, merchants and printers globally have obtained FSC certification. Companies such as Nordstrom, Inc., Williams-Sonoma, Inc., and Limited Brands (the parent company of Victoria's Secret) have all begun using FSC-certified paper in their catalogs and other printed materials. Also, the Rainforest Alliance worked with Scholastic Inc. on using FSC-certified paper in the initial US printing of the final Harry Potter book. At 22 million pounds, it was the largest single purchase of FSC-certified paper to date.

FSC certification ensures that forestry operations meet a set of environmental, social and economic criteria covering compliance with laws and international treaties, land-use and indigenous peoples' rights, community relations, biodiversity conservation and maintenance of high conservation value forests, among other things.

The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.