MQ Publications production manager Gordon Parker said he hoped that as more firms move to print on FSC stock, it would encourage more competitive pricing for FSC stock in the UK.

As part of MQ's initiative, it is producing its latest book, The Armchair Environmentalist, on 100% recycled paper.

"Although it's quite early days in terms of our usage of recycled stock, the plan is to eventually go over to FSC certified paper in the near future."

This latest move follows that of BBC Books, which became the UK's first major book publisher to use FSC-certified paper.

The move by MQ has been endorsed by environmental organisation Greenpeace, which launched its saveordelete.com book campaign in October last year.

Forest campaigner Belinda Fletcher said: "This underlines MQ's long-term commitment to environmental and socially responsible paper sourcing." She added that MQ's stance threw the gauntlet down to less progressive publishers to follow suit.

Parker said MQ would aim to publish 20 of its gift book titles on recycled stock this year, a significant increase on the four it has published on the stock so far this year.

The text pages of The Armchair Environmentalist were produced on Cyclus Offset, manufactured by Danish paper supplier Dalum. The cover was printed on a 100% recycled paper, Corona Offset.

Meanwhile, publishing merchant Denmaur Papers has become the latest to achieve the FSC chain of custody certification.

Story by Andy Scott