CONFUSING
SYMBOLS & CERTIFICA-TIONS:
identiifying environmental
paper. 
The search for real, planet-friendly
paper can be challenging for the conscientious
consumer. There are currently a
myriad of competing stamps of approval showing up
on paper labels. They range
from recycled content to the type of energy used
to power the paper mill. To
make matters confusing, they can be combined
to enhance a product's apparent environmental
desirability. What should we be
looking for in choosing a truly green
paper?
Recycled content (black background with white
chasing arrows) - this emblem indicates the
post-consumer and overall recycled
content. Look for the highest
post-consumer percentage available.
Processed
chlorine-free (black branch with hand) -
indicates that this recycled product avoided any
type of chlorine bleaching in its
re-manufacture. Green
Seal (sphere with checkmark) - product
meets evaluative criteria for environmental impact
in manufacturing as well as after its useful life
cycle. FSC
certified (tree with FSC) - indicates that
the tree fiber or virgin pulp used to make the
paper was sustainably harvested.
Green-e
certification (e-flower with leaf) -
identifies products made with certified renewable
energy.
Recently there has been some
controversy concerning the FSC certification of
papers that contain absolutely no recycled
content. A better choice would
be to look for FSC certified papers that contain
at least 30% post-consumer
waste. 30%
PCW is also the minimum recycled
content standard for the Green Seal certification
as well as the US EPA
recommendation.
FEATURED
PARTNER -
