Printing, Writing & COPY Paper

April 2006

Printing, Writing & COPY PaPer

 In 2004, 102.7 million tons of paper and paperboard were consumed in the U.S. alone. While 49.5% of that was recovered,

r e P O r t that left over 51 million tons of paper products to be incinerated or landfilled.

 58% of used printing, writing and copy paper still ends up in the waste stream.

 The pulp and paper industry ranks first in use of industrial process water, third in toxic chemical releases and fourth in emissions of the air pollutants known to impair respiratory health.

t is unlikely that use of health of the forest, then the many paper as a medium for other benefits derived from the i communication will diminish forest will be lost. For instance, in the near future — if ever. forestlands conserve biodiversity Despite technological advances by providing Despite techno and visions of the “paperless habitats where office,” we are actually using more both plant and logical advances paper than before the electronic animal life can and visions of the age that was supposed to have exist in healthy “paperless office,” rendered us paper-free! Every populations and day millions of sheets of business humans can we are actually paper are used to meet a multitude enjoy scenic using more paper of needs, whether for advertising, views and than before the formal correspondence or recreation. In professional publications. Although addition, trees electronic age that important functions, these pursuits produce oxygen was supposed to do not come without detriment and help to offset have rendered to the environment and, in turn, global warming health. Paper production and by absorbing us paper-free! use —from forest management carbon dioxide. and tree harvesting to pulping and bleaching, as well as handling used paper — can create severe environmental impacts. The use of virgin fiber in paper raises concerns regarding how forests are managed, trees are harvested, and pulp is processed. If harvesting trees for pulp production is done in a way that is unsustainable for the long-term g r e e n S e a L ’ S In addition to potential impacts Simple Federal Papermaking and attributed to obtaining raw changes in our Executive materials for paper production, a paper use and Its Impacts Order 13101 host of adverse environmental and purchasing Raw Materials health effects can be associated practices can mandates that About 30% of the timber with virgin pulp processing. For help limit all federally example, producing pulp and the depletion harvested in the U.S. is used to paper requires large quantities of forests purchased make paper products. Forests of water and chemicals, and and loss of printing and and timberlands, if properly managed, can provide trees as a is also quite energy-intensive. habitat, reduce writing paper The toxic air emissions and pollution, and source of raw materials for paper wastewater effluent from paper decrease the should contain as well as innumerable other mills can cause serious problems, stress on our no less than 30% economic and ecological benefits. Certification that forest products particularly for local communities landfills. To this post-consumer and ecosystems. Chemicals used end, Green Seal such as lumber were harvested in pulping and bleaching virgin recommends recycled fiber. from sustainably managed lands fiber, such as chlorine, are not only papers with These papers is difficult, as it requires verifiable chain-of-custody information from dangerous to manufacture and at least 30% are produced by handle, but their use generates postconsumer the forest to the retailer. This can byproducts which are highly toxic recycled content major manufac be even more challenging with to humans and aquatic life when and the use of turers and are regard to pulp, which is further down the supply chain and is a released into the environment. chlorine-free available across These by-products include actual production commodity that paper mills may or potential carcinogens and methods. the country. purchase from various sources. compounds that can severely affect Purchasing The Forest Stewardship Council the reproductive and endocrine products that are chlorine-free (FSC) has begun to address systems of exposed populations. and include post-consumer fibers certification of this commodity. will reduce the strain on natural However, few paper products in resources, promote resource the United States are certified in conservation and waste reduction, this manner, and they are not yet The Choose Green Report is published and minimize toxic emissions. widely available. for Green Seal Environmental Partners. To become an Environmental Partner, or to receive a copy of this report, contact Green Seal at (202) 872-6400 or [email protected].

Green Seal President and CEO, Arthur B. Weissman, ph.D.

Researcher and Writer, Mary Swanson

Design, Cutting Edge Design, inc.

Original printed on Green Seal-certified Mohawk Satin Cool White recycled paper, 30% postconsumer content

Green Seal EnvironmEntal PartnEr

Choose Green report There are several federal initiatives have alternative fibers on the forced many paper market for producing manufacturers to limit paper, such as kenaf, the amount of chlorine hemp, agricultural residual and chlorine derivatives materials, denim fabric used in paper production. and even paper money. The Use of chlorine dioxide, a technologies are improving derivative of chlorine, can such that it is feasible to use reduce these toxic releases papers made from these by approximately 90% less conventional fibers. compared to the use of However, unless these fibers elemental chlorine. Much are cultivated and harvested less damaging bleaching in an environmentally alternatives include responsible manner and hydrogen peroxide, ozone, obtained from a regional and oxygen. source, the benefits of using Papers are often a tree-free paper can be identified according to negated by the environmental bleaching classification: impacts associated with Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) agricultural practices, manufacture accompanied by heat and  paper is processed without or transportation. Furthermore, pressure, to eliminate most of elemental chlorine, instead tree-free papers may have a the impurities. This pulp is used using chlorine derivatives distinct color or texture that is not to make some of the higher such as chlorine dioxide. always suitable for general printing paper grades. Mechanical pulp While this greatly reduces the or writing applications and may be production typically uses more amount of dioxin emitted into priced above what some businesses energy but produces less water the environment, it does not or organizations can afford. This pollution than chemical pulping. Choose Green report focuses on completely eliminate it. And post-consumer fiber and chlorine Bleaching unfortunately, many other free bleach in printing and compounds that are harmful writing paper. Paper is bleached to further to aquatic life, humans, and dissolve the lignin, remove spots animals are produced in the and impurities, and whiten the process. Pulp Processing paper. Unfortunately, chlorination, The most common processes the most common bleaching  Process Chlorine Free (PCF) used to extract cellulose fiber process, produces dangerous paper and Totally Chlorine from wood are mechanical, organochlorine compounds such Free (TCF) paper are chemical or a combination of as chlorinated dioxins and furans. manufactured without any the two. The mechanical method Dioxin is a human carcinogen chlorine compounds in their involves grinding whole logs or and is a suspected cause of current production cycle. chips, resulting in groundwood reproductive, developmental Alternative chemicals such pulp that contains impurities such and immune system disorders as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, as lignin. Lignin is a glue-like in humans. These compounds oxygen, or enzymes are used material that holds the wood are known to persist in the to whiten and delignify the fibers together, and also makes environment, travel long distances pulp. PCF paper may still wood-based paper rough to to disperse all over the globe, contain chlorine, however, from the touch. Because of this, the and accumulate up through recycled fibers that may have groundwood pulp is primarily the food chain. It is estimated been bleached with chlorine suitable for applications such as that the paper manufacturing prior to being recycled. TCF newsprint, but it may also be used industry releases 1.5 trillion paper contains only fibers as filler in higher-grade papers. gallons of wastewater each year that have never been chlorine Chemical pulping involves that has been contaminated bleached. Typically, this means soaking wood chips in a sulfate with organochlorine compounds. that TCF paper contains only or sulfite chemical bath, often Strong consumer concern and 100% virgin fiber, since most

Choose Green report 3 recycled paper has been  Writing — Writing papers are bleached with chlorine. commonly used for business letterhead, correspondence Green Seal recommends using and forms. The paper surface PCF or TCF paper to encourage readily accepts ink and can paper processing without use withstand erasures without of any chlorine-containing damaging the surface. compounds.  Text —Text papers are known Recycled Content for the range of textures, colors and basis weights available Recycled fibers have been used in this grade. They are often in paper for quite some time, as treated to make them more paper manufacturers traditionally and pollution from paper collection water resistant and facilitate reprocess mill scraps in paper and processing, compared to offset lithographic printing. Text production. This pre-consumer that for its disposal. Although papers are commonly used for material may include shavings, postconsumer recycled paper brochures and booklets. cuttings, and unused paper stock may have been chlorine bleached from previous jobs or even other for its initial use, those past  Cover— Cover papers are mills. Utilizing this source of impacts cannot be undone. Virgin often made in a heavier basis recycled material is a common pulp, even when processed weight to complement their text industry practice, and is not completely without chlorine or counterpart. These papers are considered a significant factor in derivatives, still requires the extremely durable, stable and resource use reduction or pollution harvesting of trees. maintain a uniform printing prevention. It is the use of post surface. Cover stock can be consumer recycled content that Making the Grade found in various textures is important for conserving and colors, and is commonly Grades are used to distinguish resources and minimizing pollution used for business cards, stiff among the different uses for and waste. brochures, report covers and a particular paper, which Post-consumer fiber comes other stiffer paper needs. necessitate different performance from paper that has served its characteristics. Common grades of  Copy paper (also called copier, original purpose for the end user printing and writing paper include printer, reprographic or and has then been returned to a bond/writing, text, and cover, as xerographic paper) is typically a manufacturer via community and well as several others. “white commodity paper” in the industrial recycling programs, thus bond or writing paper category, being diverted from the stream  Bond— Bond paper is a strong, with a typical basis weight of 20 of waste going to a landfill or an durable paper especially pounds (see below). Many copy incinerator. The total recycled suitable for electronic printing papers are now being marketed content refers to the total amount and use in office machines, as “multi-purpose,” made to be of post- and pre-consumer fibers including copiers and desktop used in the most common types contained in the paper. printers. It is characterized by of office machines, including The best rule of thumb is erasability, good absorption and copiers and different types to look for a product with the rigidity. Bond is sometimes used of printers. Writing, text and largest postconsumer recycled interchangeably with writing or cover papers are often offered content—higher postconsumer copy paper. together as a line of printing recycled content means fewer trees are needed to meet the demand for paper, thus lowering aper: Basic Sizes and Basis Weights the burden on the environment. P Recycling one ton of paper saves COMMOn BaSiS three cubic yards of increasingly graDe Basic Size (in.) WeigHtS (lbs/ream) scarce landfill space. Bond 17 x 22 13 – 24 From a life cycle perspective, recycled fibers cause less Writing Papers 17 x 22 20 – 40 environmental harm than virgin Text Papers 25 x 38 30 – 100 pulp, even after accounting for slight increases in resource use Cover Papers 20 x 26 50 – 130

Choose Green report and writing paper, all with (500 sheets) in the basic size for Positive Paper matching design elements. that grade. The basic size differs They are often of heavier among the paper grades, and can Purchasing basis weight and utilize more differ from the standard size of Aside from the first step of coatings and inks than basic the final product. For example, a reducing the quantity of paper copy paper. ream of 17" x 22" stationery (its used, there are other ways to basic size) that weighs 24 pounds minimize environmental impact Knowing the range of basis is called “24 lb.” This ream of through improved purchasing weights available is relevant in 17" x 22" sheets of 24 lb. practices. paper selection, especially when stationery produces four reams of trying to mitigate environmental 8.5" x 11" sheets, each weighing Reduce Basis Weight impacts. The basis weight is the six pounds. Reduce the weight of your weight of one ream of paper copy paper to cut down on the amount of material used in its production. While the nature Reduce Overall Paper Use of the printing job at hand will generally dictate the grade of paper needed, there is often a Reducing the amount of waste paper coming out of your office can range of basis weights within a indeed help our environment and it can also save your office significant given grade, offering flexibility in amounts of money. Once you have determined the areas of paper decision making. For example, waste that need to be attacked, brainstorm ways to limit paper usage by opting for 20 lb. writing paper in the office. Here are some suggestions to get you started. instead of 24 lb. stock for business  Reduce the number of pages you print by setting your copier stationery, an office that uses default to duplex (copying on both sides of the paper). only two reams per week would save 104 pounds of paper per  Reduce margin or font sizes used on your reports and therefore year, reducing the impact on the reduce the number of pages you print. environment by 16%. Selecting the  Reduce the number of your repeat mailings by combining lowest basis weight acceptable for information into fewer major mailings. your printing job will reduce the amount of pulp, resources used  Reduce your 8½ x 11 image by 29% to fit two images on one and waste generated for each page. Word processors can reduce page output by printing two or sheet of paper. more text pages per sheet of paper.  Reuse one-sided copies for printing draft copies of documents or as scrap paper. Use this paper as your copier’s default supply.

Electronic Options  Use electronic mail to distribute your memos and files around the office.  Try using a fax modem so you can distribute documents by connecting to a fax directly without having to print out a copy of the document to send through your fax machine.  Publish and order long documents on CD-ROM.  Become an integrated paperless office. Offices which have a computer network can purchase systems which incorporate optical character recognition, form processing and archiving within the network using computers, scanners and various storage devices.  Taking care in purchasing and making simple adjustments to your copier or printer could save money, landfill space, and environmental quality, all at the same time.

Choose Green report Select Papers with Post-Consumer LOSe tHe LOOP Recycled Fibers C Recycling is only viable as long as there is a market for the recycled Buy the maximum postconsumer content paper materials. By buying products with post-consumer recycled content, available that meets your office in conjunction with recycling your own used materials, you will needs. With recent advancements help to support the market for recycled fibers, as well as reduce the in technology, recycled-content environmental impacts of your operations. paper can be found to meet virtually every printing and writing paper need, without sacrificing quality. Whenever possible, choose the brighter (whiter-looking) the programs. Whenever possible, paper made with at least 30% paper. Certain documents will need avoid or reduce the use of colored post-consumer recycled fiber. to be white, but not always the or coated papers. Producing brightest white available. Reducing paper paper with brightness requirements will help Recycle Your Used Paper recovered manufacturing is encourage paper companies to Develop or strengthen your materials not reduce chlorine used for paper the third largest own recycling program, and only reduces bleaching processes. Evaluate the user of fossil ensure that employees and solid waste and need for whiteness against the maintenance staff are aware the need for fuels worldwide. potential environmental and health of their roles. Newspaper and virgin pulp, but impacts of chlorine bleaching, recycling paper corrugated cardboard have also generates and choose papers made without uses 60% less achieved high rates of recycling, less pollution chlorine. and higher-grade paper recycling and uses less energy than is increasing. However, only 42% total energy and Minimize the Use of manufacturing of printing and writing paper is other resources paper from Coatings and Colors recycled, which leaves significant than producing Coatings add performance room for improvement. Higher paper from virgin fiber. and aesthetic elements to paper, grade papers result in better virgin fibers. which may be desirable for quality recycled fibers, which can particular printed materials. then be used in a wider variety Use Discretion However, recycling paper with of recycled content products. with Brightness and coatings, colors or finishes can Finally, by contributing paper for Bleaching generate more sludge or harmful recycling, you are helping to keep Brightness is the percentage waste by-products than untreated prices for recycled products down. of light that reflects off the paper paper. Also, this paper may not be surface; the higher the number, included in some office recycling

THe ADvantageS Of Green SeaL CertifiCatiOn Green Seal, Inc. is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to create a more environmentally sustainable economy by identifying and promoting environmentally preferable products and services. Green Seal has developed environmental leadership standards for dozens of product and service categories, including printing and writing paper, and its certification program verifies that products meet this stringent standard. Therefore, when purchasers see that a product is Green Seal-certified, they know that it is environmentally preferable because it has been validated by a reputable third party with no financial interest in the product or company that manufactures it.

Choose Green report GS- Certified Printing and Writing Papers

Green Seal encourages both the increased use of postconsumer recycled fibers and the elimination of chlorine in pulp and paper manufacturing. To this end, Green Seal established its environmental standard for printing and writing papers (GS-7, 1999). Major requirements of the standard are that uncoated printing and writing papers shall: either contain at least 30% post-consumer material, or be manufactured without using chlorine or chlorine derivatives. (See the standard for details: http://www.greenseal.org/standards/gs-7standard.pdf.) The following table lists printing and writing papers that have been certified under GS-7 for containing at least 30% postconsumer recycled fiber.

reCYCLeD COntent (%) POSt-COnSuMer/ OtHer WeigHt (LB), graDe, ManufaCturer BranD tOtaL (if knOWn) attriButeS tYPe Easter Seal Society Daymax organizer and calendar 30/ Pre-printed refill pages of Western PA refills Index sheet sets Mohawk Paper Mohawk Vellum 30/ 24, 28 W Mills 60, 70, 80, 100 T 65, 80, 100 C 130 DTC Tomohawk 30/ 70, 80 T 65, 80 C Irish Linen 30/ 70, 80 T 80 C Mohawk Color Copy 100% 100/100 PCF 28 W Recycled Green-e 80 C Mohawk Satin 2.0 30/ 24, 28, 32 W 60, 70, 80, 100 T 65, 80, 90, 100 C Mohawk Options 30/and PCF 28 W 100/100 Green-e 70, 80, 100 T 65, 80 C Mohawk Ultrafelt Recycled 30/ 80 T 80, 100 C Mohawk Superfine 30/ 24, 28 W 70, 80 T 65, 80 C

nOteS B = Bond W = Writing T = Text C = Cover CB = Cover Bristol DTC = Double thick cover (laminated)

FSC = Forest Stewardship Council Green-e = certified by Green-e® for use of wind power in manufacturing

Post-consumer recycled fiber content of at least 30% and other fiber content claims have been verified by Green Seal as part of the GS-7 certification process. Process-chlorine free (PCF) claims are based on manufacturers’ declarations and have not necessarily been verified by Green Seal.

Choose Green report Choose Greenreport Office Depot, Inc. Office Depot EnviroCopy Recycled Inc. Office Depot, Neenah PaperNeenah (continued) Mills PaperMohawk ManufaCturer

GS- Papers and Writing Printing Certified ENVIRONMENT FSCmix Copy Paper COTTONCLASSIC COLUMNS CLASSIC Linen CLASSIC Laid CLASSIC CREST CLASSIC ATL ENVIRONMENT alt Painting colorpalettes) eames Paper Collection(Furniture, BranD Strathmore Writing Strathmore Script Strathmore Script Beckett Expression Via Portfolio Beckett Concept BriteHue BriteHue ENVIRONMENT

AS Bond

er native ed

30 /50 80 / 35 30 /60 30 /60 30 /60 30 /60 30 /60 30 /60 30 / (%) POSt-COnSuMer/ (%) POSt-COnSuMer/ reCYCLeD COntent tOtaL (ifknOWn) 30/30 100/100 30/30 and 30/30 30/30 30/30 30/30 1 30 /100 and 00 /100

bagasse bagasse cane 50% sugar cer 20% FSC fiber 25% cotton (W) 25% cotton 25% co OtHer attriButeS 25% cotton (W) 25% cotton Green-e PCF Green-e only) PCF (100% Green-e PCF 25% cotton (W) 25% cotton Green-e PCF PCF tified virgin

tton tton

80 C 80 C 20, 24 B 80 C 70, 80,100 T 24 W 70, 80,1 24 W 20 lbCopy, Multipurpose 80 C 80 T 24 W 80 C 70, 80T 24 W 80 C 70, 80T 20, 24 W 80 C 70, 80T 20, 24 W 88 CB 24 W W WeigHt (LB),graDe, tYPe tYPe 88, 110 CB 80 C 80 T 24 W 88 CB 80, 130 C 70, 80T 24 W 65, 80C 70, 80T 24 W 80, 100, 130 C 70 T 24 W 65, 80,100 C 70, 80T 24 W 65 C 24/60 T 70, 80,1 2 4 W riting, text,riting, andcover

00 T 00 T

reCYCLeD COntent (%) POSt-COnSuMer/ OtHer WeigHt (LB), graDe, ManufaCturer BranD tOtaL (if knOWn) attriButeS tYPe Wausau Paper Royal Complements 30 100 C Royal Cotton 30 25% cotton (W) 20, 24 W 70 T 80 C Royal Fiber 30 24 W 70, 80 T 100 C Royal Laid 30 24 W 70 T 80 C Royal Linen 30 24 W 70 T 80, 100 C Royal Marble 30 24 W 70 T 80 C Royal SilkPlus 30 24 W 70, 80, 100 T 80, 100 C Astroparche 30 60 T 65 C Astrobrights 30 24/60 T 65, 80 C Exact Offset Opaque Colors 30 20/50, 24/60, 70 T 65 C Exact Opaque White 30 50, 60, 70, 80, T 65, 80 C Exact Index 30 90, 110, 140 Index Exact Tag 30 100, 125, 150 Tag Exact Digital 30 20, 24, 28, 32 W 60, 65, 80 C Exact Multipurpose 30 20/50, 60 T Exact Eco 100 100 / 100 20 W

nOteS B = Bond W = Writing T = Text C = Cover CB = Cover Bristol DTC = Double thick cover (laminated)

FSC = Forest Stewardship Council Green-e = certified by Green-e® for use of wind power in manufacturing

Choose Green report NoN-Profit org. US PoStage PAID WaShiNgtoN, DC 1001 COnneCtiCut ave., nW Permit No. 5515 Suite 827 WaSHingtOn, D.C. 20036

i n t H i S i S S u e

— Recommended Printing, Writing and Copy Papers — Postconsumer Materials — Positive Paper Purchasing — Reducing Copy Paper Waste

ManufaCturer COntaCt infOrMatiOn

ManufaCturer WeBSite PHOne

Easter Seal Society of Western PA www.daymax.com/HTML/ 1-877-GET-JWOD mandatory%20source.htm

Mohawk Paper Mills www.mohawkpaper.com 1-800-THE MILL

Neenah Paper www.neenahpaper.com 1-888-558-5061

Office Depot, Inc. www.officedepot.com 1-800-GO-DEPOT

Wausau Paper www.wausaupapers.com 1-715-675-3361