Tuesday 26 May 2009

Recycled Paper

As a country we are becoming more aware of the environment, and the impact we are having on it. So how can we help reduce our pollution and preserve our environment?

Using Recycled and FSC Certified Papers are a very good place to start.

First we need to define these terms:

Recycled Paper is paper that has been produced from mill-broke, pre-consumer and post-consumer waste. ‘Genuine Recycled Paper’ is defined by containing the highest content of post-consumer waste.
Any recycled paper that carries the NAPM (National Association of Paper Merchants) Recycled Logo , will contain a minimum of 75% waste (This however excludes mill-broke waste).

FSC Certified Paper is paper which contains fibre from forest-friendly sources, which have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC Certified papers may contain a combination of FSC fibres, post-consumer waste/recycled/reclaimed fibres or other fibres from controlled sources.


FAQ

What about Quality and Performance?
The development and improvement of the production of recycled paper, now means quality and performance is tied with that of Standard ‘Virgin’ Papers. There are some recycled brands which are classed as ‘top of the range’ e.g. 9Lives and Revive

Is Recycled Paper more expensive?
Recycled paper is now on a par with conventional paper prices. This is due to the increase in demand and the progression of the manufacturing of recycled papers.

How is Ink removed from Paper for Recycling?
Ink is not always removed from the paper, but allowed to break up into the pulp. This inevitably gives the recycled paper a greyish tinge.

Should you choose Recycled Papers?(When deciding whether you would say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, please take the following points in to account) :

1. We can reduce the amount of waste we are dumping into landfills. Landfills produce methane emissions which is in turn a contributor to global warming. Recycling paper means, reducing the waste we put in, increasing the time it takes to fill a landfill and therefore reducing the number of new ones created.

2. For the recycled market to continue we need to keep the demand for this type of material up. Without the recycled market and the promotion of it, we would find the production grinding to a halt.

3. We need to reduce the pressure put on forest resources by optimising the use of waste material available. Sustainable forestry’s are present but to deplete the use of virgin pulp completely we need to concentrate solely on using our own waste.

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