Lowe's Releases Statement on Wood Purchasing Policies

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On August 8, after lengthy consultation with a number of environmental groups,

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. released a progressive statement on its wood purchasing policies. Among other measures, the policy aims to identify ancient forests and eliminate wood purchases from them, and to discourage conversion of native forests to plantations. The statement specifically identifies the Forest Stewardship Council as the company’s preferred certification scheme: “FSC certification will be given preference over other certification systems.” With 1999 sales of $15.9 billion, Lowe’s is the world’s second largest home improvement retailer. Number one, Home Depot, made a similar commitment last year (see

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Vol. 8, No. 9).