Green ink® Paper

When planning your Green ink® project, paper selection is a key factor. There is a wide range of possibilities and quality does not have to be sacrificed to spare the environment. Recycled content and FSC certified are a couple of opportunities.

FYI- Paper does not lead to deforestation and, like corn, it is a renewable resource.

Consider these options to increase the eco-friendliness of the piece:

• Sustainable Paper Source
• Recycled Paper Content 10-100%
• Sustainable Power and Green Certifications

Sustainable Paper Sources

FSC - Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit, independent organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests. The FSC sets standards that ensure our forests are managed in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way. They provide certification systems and trademark recognition, and accreditation services for companies and organizations interested in responsible forestry. The FSC trademark will add more credibility to the environmentally-friendliness of your printing than an unregulated logo. SFI and PEFC are two additional of the almost 40 forest management organizations worldwide. Southeastern Printing chose to become FSC certified because it is widely accepted by the conservation community as having the most rigorous forest management standards.

Click here to see a list of FSC Certified Papers.

Sustainable Forest Management
The concept can be described as the attainment of balance between society's increasing demands for forest products and the preservation of forest health and diversity. In simplest terms it means no more wood is harvested than regrown. Trees are replanted or naturally regenerated after harvesting. The forests are maintained as habitats for wild animals and plants.

Recycled Paper
Paper that is made with varying percentages, 10-100%, of post-consumer and/or pre-consumer waste. Recycled paper uses less energy and releases fewer emissions in manufacturing than virgin fiber.

Pre-Consumer Waste
Fiber that has been recycled from waste at the mill, fabricator and/or printer.

Post-Consumer Waste (PCW)
Any paper product that has been used by the consumer and returned for recycling. It is considered the most environmentally efficient because it has already at least one useful life before being reused.

Virgin Fiber
Fiber produced from the harvesting of trees. Fiber that has never been used before in the manufacture of paper or other products. It is okay to use paper that does not have high recycled content as long as it is certified to be from a well-managed source, such as the FSC.

Elemental Chlorine-Free
Virgin fiber that is whitened using a chlorine derivative instead of elemental chlorine. EPA designated “Best Available Technology.”

Processed Chlorine-Free (PCF)
Indicates that no elemental chlorine or chlorine derivative was used in the pulp and papermaking processes. Some chlorine may remain from the source material

Sustainable Power

Renewable Energy
Many mills produce their paper using renewable energy from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat, which are naturally replenished. Renewable energy technologies range from solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity/micro hydro, biomass and bio-fuels for transportation. (ex. Green-e)

Carbon Neutral
The practice of balancing carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels, with renewable energy, that creates a similar amount of useful energy, so that the carbon emissions are compensated.

Green Certification

EPA- CPG Designation
Products designated by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Defined by the EPA, these are products have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to other products and services that serve the same purpose.

Green Seal Certified
Green Seal is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transforming the marketplace by promoting the manufacture, purchase, and use of environmentally responsible products and services.