It’s not easy being green

This is an issue that I’ve been dealing with lately – how to be more environmentally friendly with the printing choices that we make in our marketing department. This is an important issue not only because it makes an impact on our environment, but it can also be a positive marketing point to your constituents. The flip side is that it can sometimes be more costly and harder to find “green” paper products as well as wading through all of the certifications and terminology that exists about different types of papers.

Your print rep is probably your best friend in this journey to find the right paper choice since they should be knowledgeable about terminology, trends and cost, as well as availability from their paper supplier.

Here are some answers to some of the bigger questions:
Source: www.greenerprinter.com

What is recycled paper?

The term “recycled paper” can have several meanings, but the most consistent definition is derived from federal guidelines. Almost all state and local government and business procurement specifications now reference the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidelines on recycled paper. The EPA guidelines require a minimum of 30% post-consumer content for uncoated printing and writing paper, and a minimum of 10% post-consumer content for coated papers. Other forms of paper, such as newsprint, corrugated packaging, tissue, and others, also require post-consumer content. The EPA doesn’t consider mill broke, the unprinted trimming and converting scrap from paper mills themselves, recycled content.

What is pre-consumer waste?

Pre-consumer materials are those that have not met their intended end-use by a consumer and include allowable waste left over from manufacturing, converting, and printing processes.

What is post-consumer waste?

This is paper that has already been used and returned through a recycling program, thereby diverting it from a landfill or incinerator. It is usually deinked and then processed to make new paper. Office paper waste makes up the majority of post-consumer waste content that is used to make recycled copy and printing papers.

What is the Forest Stewardship Council?

Recently, some United States commercial forests have undergone a sustainable harvest certification process overseen by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a non-profit organization set up to encourage the use of sustainable practices in forestry worldwide. Organizations that complete the FSC certification process adhere to standards and practices set forth by the organization which will ensure “stewardship” of FSC materials.

It’s impossible to explore all of the different terminology and trends in this growing paper market here. But, it’s becoming more important to understand these issues because more clients are requesting “green” paper products and printing process.

Resources:

AIGA Center for Sustainable Design – http://sustainability.aiga.org/
This is a great site that has resources, discussion forms as well as green news.

American Forest & Paper Association - www.afandpa.org
This site has some great information, including a paper recycling symbol guide.

Forest Stewardship Council - www.fsc.org
This organization has become a major accreditation source and ensures that paper suppliers and printers maintains environmentally sound practices.

Contributed by:
Mark Chamberlain Production Manager at Augsburg College Office of Marketing and Communication
www.mchamberlain.us