Readers Respond: In support of a simple, low-cost eco-label

The following letter is a response to "iLevel promotes an easy eco-labeling option with SFI." 

"[iLevel by Weyerhaeuser VP] Carlos Guilherme and iLevel have taken the simple stamp idea and acted on it, and applied it to iLevel lumber by the piece. This is very important as it is easily identifiable by the supply chain and the customer. The key being each piece of lumber is stamped -- not just the wrapping, which gets torn off or disintegrates. Weyerhauser is to be commended for handling the situation in this manner. The fact that iLevel can do this could in time prove to the rest of the world that this is a viable solution and comes at virtually little or no cost. 

"The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as well as the other three or four world certifying agencies should come together and create a green stamp and make it available to the harvesters of their certified forests to use and stamp each piece of eco-friendly wood. [This way], the public can decide individually whether they want to use sustainable grown wood or wood harvested without any regard for longevity and perpetuation of the forest. Small producers may have problems certifying their wood, and exceptions could and should be made. However large timber tracts are either certified or not, and the public has the right to know."

— Harold Baalmann

President

B&B Lumber Co.

Wichita, Kan.