Caring for the environment by recycling your office paper at work addresses the first part of the paper sustainability equation. But if you’re not buying recycled, you’re not really recycling. Next you can “close the loop” by purchasing recycled content paper products. This action creates a powerful positive impact on the environment by helping to divert good, reusable paper away from landfills and incinerators and back into consumer products. Purchasers should be aware that many “recycled” and FSC or SFI certified papers may contain very little post-consumer waste (PCW) content. Since post-consumer or after-consumer waste is the stuff that is headed for costly disposal, it is the most important environmental standard in a truly green paper purchase. Other positive benefits of recycled paper include less or no chlorine, energy savings, less water, less pollution and fewer or no trees needed in the manufacturing process.

Paper is sold by national chain stores, paper distributors, paper merchants and printers. Many of these entities, though in a very environmentally-sensitive industry, pay little attention to, or even “greenwash,” the environmental qualities of their products. On the other hand, companies that sell green products exclusively are more proactive in seeking out new products with higher post-consumer and tree-free fibers. The continued growth of green companies will help move the paper industry toward higher levels of sustainability. Since 1992, GreenLine Paper Company has been a national leader in green-dedicated product sales and advocacy.