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Staff Reporter
First National Real Estate has signed a pledge to stop using paper made from woodchips harvested from Australia’s native forests.
“Australia currently has an excess of plantation wood available so it makes sense to us that woodchips for pulp and paper should come from plantation wood which is a viable, sustainable and economically feasible alternative,” said First National Real Estate national communications manager, Stewart Bunn, upon signing the Ethical Paper Pledge.
The cooperative group is also eager to reduce its carbon footprint.
“Logging native forests releases huge amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, and globally speaking, accounts for 20 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Bunn said.
“It is a win for everyone. The environment wins, paper manufacturers win, businesses win and most importantly, the communities who rely on the plantation for their very economic existence win.”
Mr Bunn added that the decision to sign the pledge also supports the communities in which its member agents are based.
“We have a lot of our members in regional and rural areas, where the communities rely on our forests for their livelihoods and recreational activities,” Mr Bunn said.
“Some derive employment from forestry and its related industries, while others benefit from the tourism and leisure pursuits they generate.
“The importance of protecting our native forests as well as plantations is critical for many of our members, and as a network, we are committed to sustainability.”
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