# Home Depot’s Updated Policy: FSC Certified Wood Products Only

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/home-depots-updated-policy-fsc-certified-wood-products-only/
- Published: 2017-12-26T01:35:13-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## **_Company achieved an “A-“score by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)_**

![ATLANTA, Oct. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Home Depot® is increasing its protection
of High Conservation Value Forests and tropical Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) 
by not accepting any wood products from The Amazon (South America) and Congo (Africa)
Basins, unless Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/image-69.jpg?resize=400%2C400&quality=52&ssl=1 "Home
Depot product report")

ATLANTA, Oct. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The Home Depot® is increasing its protection
of High Conservation Value Forests and [tropical Intact](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/05/home-depot-plywood-the-impact-on-ecuadors-rainforests/)
Forest Landscapes (IFLs) by not accepting any wood products from The [Amazon](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/05/home-depot-plywood-the-impact-on-ecuadors-rainforests/)(
South America) and Congo (Africa) Basins, unless Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
certified.

Although less than one percent of the company’s [existing](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/03/true-north-log-homes-achieves-fsc-certification/)
wood products come from the Amazon and Congo Basins, The Home Depot announced today
that it will require that any wood [products coming from these areas be FSC certified](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/09/accoya-wood-a-game-changer-in-sustainable-construction/).
The company has given preference to FSC certified wood products since 1999.

### Home Depot Product Report

The company announced the updated policy in its 2017 Responsibility Report. The 
full report is located online.

[https://corporate.homedepot.com/newsroom/infographic-2017-responsibility-report](https://corporate.homedepot.com/newsroom/infographic-2017-responsibility-report).

The report also unveils newly strengthened chemical oversight practices in five 
product categories, including paint, carpet, vinyl and laminate [flooring](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/09/accoya-wood-a-game-changer-in-sustainable-construction/),
and insulation.

The chemical strategy includes commitments to increase the assortment of products
that have transparency of product ingredients and third party certification of chemical
ingredients. Additionally, the company is committed to working with suppliers to
improve chemicals. Especially in categories with the greatest potential impact to
[indoor air quality](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/surprising-facts-about-indoor-air-quality/).
Furthermore, it will conduct annual reviews of product categories to track progress
and drive innovation.

#### Home Depot Partners for Products with Non Profits

The company partners with the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council, Healthy Building
Network and Cradle to Cradle for guidance on priority chemicals and innovations.

So The Home Depot is also expanding its [Eco Options](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/03/eco-options-at-the-home-depot-interview-with-cate-franklyn/)
program. To one that identifies products that have less of an impact on the environment
than standard products. So it was established in 2007. All to include the third 
party certification programs Cradle to Cradle Certified™ and GREENGUARD® Gold.

#### Additional highlights from 2016 include:

 1. The company estimates its customers saved more than 76 billion gallons of water
    in fiscal 2016. All as a result from the sales of WaterSense® certified products
 2. The company estimates its customers saved more than $903 million in utility costs
    from sales of [Energy Star® certified products](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/04/go-green-expo-interview-about-the-home-depot-energy-efficiency-program-with-cathryn-franklin/),
    reducing consumers greenhouse gas emissions by 4.9 million metric tons in fiscal
    2016
 3. [The Home Depot](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/07/bulb-recycle-at-the-home-depot-a-sustainable-solution/)
    Foundation has impacted  more than 34,500 veterans’ homes and facilities since 
    2011. All with a financial commitment to veterans related causes of a [quarter of a billion](https://greenlivingguy.com/2005/10/exxon-mobil-posts-quarterly-profit-of-9-9-billion/)
    dollars by 2020

The Home Depot applies Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 Guidelines, which are
included in the 2017 Responsibility Report, as a cross-reference tool for its [sustainability reporting](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/08/financial-benefits-of-sustainability-reporting-that-managers-should-know/)
to make meaningful data available to stakeholders.

![ATLANTA, Oct. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Home Depot® is increasing its protection
of High Conservation Value Forests and tropical Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) 
by not accepting any wood products from The Amazon (South America) and Congo (Africa)
Basins, unless Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. So go to The Home Depot](
https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3204.jpg?resize
=296%2C420&quality=52&ssl=1 "Home Depot forest report")

SOURCE The Home Depot

[http://www.homedepot.com](https://www.homedepot.com/)

HD Responsibility Report Infographic

The Home Depot logo. (PRNewsFoto/The Home Depot) (PRNewsFoto/)