Monday, January 03, 2011

Research: Protected Tree Found in Paper from Indonesia

The Jakarta Post reports that a laboratory study of books purchased in the United States, and originating in Indonesia, has found that some contain the protected Ramin tree. Ramin trees have been protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 2003. And the Indonesian government has banned all exports of ramin products.

The study was completed by the World Resources Institute and included in a new report by Greenomics Indonesia titled, Surprise, But No Surprise: Protected Tree Species Find Their Way Into Indonesia Pulp and Paper Products.

The Executive Summary begins,

The recent finding by the World Resources Institute (WRI) that Indonesian pulp and paper products exported to the United States contain Ramin fibers, a protected tree species, means that all  those who produce, handle and trade in such products are liable to criminal sanctions under the United States' Lacey Act.
What's in YOUR paper?

4 comments:

rob tossberg said...

which books were they?

Papyrus said...

WRI hasn't publicly posted the names of the specific products found to have Ramin tree fibers. There is some more information on their website: http://www.wri.org/stories/2010/11/risk-free-paper-and-lacey-act

The simply say, "We sent samples from 32 imported paper products to an independent fiber analysis laboratory. Samples we had tested came from stationery, paper bags, cardboard boxes, toilet paper, facial tissue paper, wrapping paper, and books—including pages, glossy cover sleeves, and cardboard from hardback covers. All products were purchased from stores and outlets in the United States."

Anonymous said...

With your last statement why did you put up the APP name on the original post

Papyrus said...

Dear Anonymous, I do not understand, because it does not say APP anywhere in the post.