How to Choose the Most Environmentally Friendly Paper
Written by Laura Jane Boast
Paper is one of the few truly sustainable materials. And it’s quickly replacing plastic when considering a more environmentally friendly alternative. But within such a fast-moving manufacturing industry, with so many papers offering environmental benefits, how do you compare which is best?
As a sustainability-led designer with a decade of experience, the most thorough approach to having the lowest impact, is to take into consideration every stage in the paper-making process: from forests, water and energy use to carbon emissions and waste.
At each stage of the process, there are international certifications that set a standard for best practice, e.g. FSC certification ensures wood is sustainably sourced from well-managed forests, and EU EcoLabel guarantees a reduced consumption of electricity, emissions and improved waste recovery.
Paper with sustainable certified accreditations are the best indicator that environmental standards have been met. To help you make better informed decisions, I’ve investigated each stage in-depth, highlighting what certifications to look out for.
1. Support sustainable forestry
Over a single year a mature tree will take up approximately 22kg of Co2 [1] and release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support two human beings. [2]
In order to promote the responsible use of forests, reduce global warming and conserve biological diversity, it is important to buy from well-managed sources.
FSC and PEFC are the two most prominent forest certification schemes – preferencing 100% certified content to ensure the wood is completely from well-managed forests. As a result of these two organisations, European forests grew by 44,160km between 2005 and 2015, that’s an area larger than Switzerland and equivalent to over 1,500 football pitches of forest growth every day. [3]
What certifications to look for?
2. Reduce water pollution
Paper production is dependent on water, yet relatively little is consumed, with 93% being returned to the environment after suitably being treated. [4]
A naturally occurring acid ‘Lignin’ is often present in wood pulp but if infused in water can have harmful effects on our ecosystem. Whilst chlorine is added to the paper-making process to give paper its white appearance. Choosing acid-free, ISO 9706 and totallychlorine-free (TCF) papers serves to reduce harmful by-products. Both of which address the problem of preserving documents, as the molecules in alkaline paper break down much slower and has a life expectancy of over 1,000 years. [5]
What certifications to look for?
3. Reduce energy use
60% of the European pulp and paper industry’s energy already comes from renewable sources, making them the biggest single user of renewable energy in the EU. [6]
Wind energy is emission free and completely renewable, producing little or no pollution. This explains why pulp, paper and print account for only 0.6% of European greenhouse gas emissions. [7] Furthermore the EU Ecolabel guarantees a very low environmental impact in the manufacturing of paper throughout its life cycle, with reduced consumption of electricity, low air and water emissions, improved waste recovery. [8]
What certifications to look for?
4. Offset carbon footprint
So far, 169,500 tonnes of Co2 has been carbon balanced, which is the equivalent of taking 41,600 cars off the road for a year. [9]
Carbon neutral paper means the paper mill has measured their entire carbon footprint for each paper product, from electricity and manufacturing to transportation, and then balanced or offset through supporting impactful conservation projects, resulting in fully Co2 neutral products. For individuals or businesses looking to offset the unavoidable carbon emissions of your printed marketing materials, the World Land Trust, an international conservation charity, offers a Carbon Balancing programme. [10]
What certifications to look for?
5. Reusing waste
Paper for recycling is an essential raw material for the paper industry. In Europe, 47.8 million tonnes of it was used in 2016. 54% of the fibre used by Europe’s paper producers comes from paper for recycling. [11]
Recycled 100% Post-Consumer Waste (PCW) is considered the truest form of recycled fibre, as it has been recovered from consumer use and reduces pressure on forest lands. However it can only be used 5-7 times [12] and needs to be de-inked (a chemical process) to remove previously printed ink before it can be reproduced. Therefore opt for recycled pulp that uses a Process Chlorine Free (PCF) method. [13]
An alternative to paper waste, recycling the by-product residue from other manufacturing industries including leather, cotton or organic produce like fruits, hazelnuts, lavender, olives and coffee. These natural raw materials are saved from landfill and used to make distinctive, vivid papers – whilst still 100% recyclable and biodegradable.
What certifications to look for?
Conclusion
Choosing the most environmentally friendly paper is as much about lowering the impact, as it is about supporting a sustainable, circular economy.
The indicators of best environmental practice, come from looking at the sustainable certifications that have been credited to paper that meets the standards – taking into consideration every stage in the paper-making process, the more certifications the better. In order to sustainably protect our natural fiber and water resources, importance lies within choosing FSC or PEFC, and acid-free or chlorine-free paper.
When choosing your next paper stock, think about what’s the most important environmental positive impact you want to make for your brand and most meaningful for your customer. As a general rule, I start by choosing 3-5 papers that are fit for application, and then to make a fair comparison, look at the sustainable certifications which ultimately makes the final decision.
Whether you’re looking to choose responsibly from well-managed forests, reduce water pollution, offset entire carbon footprint or interested in reusing alternative waste materials, let’s chat.
