[GreenYes] Re: recycled paper in trouble?

[<Christine.McCoy@no.address>]

I just forwarded to AF&PA...hopefully they can fill us in!

Christine McCoy
City of Alexandria
703/519-3486 ext. 132 




Helen Spiegelman <hspie@no.address> 
Sent by: <GreenYes@no.address>
03/15/2007 06:03 PM

To
<greenyes@no.address>
cc

Subject
[GreenYes] recycled paper in trouble?






Is this accurate? Not sure the source.

Helen.

Is Recycled Paper in Trouble?
March 2007
Read this issue of Greentips online

The growing presence of recycled paper has led many people to believe that 
all paper is now made from recycled materials. This unfortunate 
misconception has actually decreased demand for recycled paper, causing 
manufacturers to produce less. As a result, more than 90 percent of 
printing and writing paper still comes from virgin tree fiber.

The benefits of producing paper from recycled fibers are many: fewer trees 
cut down, less water and energy consumed, less pollution generated. And 
now that studies have shown today?s recycled paper products are comparable 
to conventional products in quality, performance, and cost, the case for 
buying recycled is stronger than ever. To help expand this market while 
meeting your needs and budget, ask these questions when shopping for paper 
products:

What is the percentage of recycled content? 

Recycled paper contains varying percentages of post-consumer waste (paper 
that has been used and recycled by the consumer); the remaining recycled 
content derives from miscellaneous paper mill scraps. While any recycled 
paper is generally better than non-recycled, paper with a higher 
percentage of post-consumer content is the best choice. If a percentage is 
not listed, contact the manufacturer.

Where did the paper originate? 

If you cannot buy a paper product that is 100 percent recycled, look for 
the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification label. This paper comes 
from forests managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

What about ?tree-free? alternatives? 

Paper doesn?t have to come from wood pulp; fibers from hemp, kenaf, flax, 
cotton, banana stalks, and other plant-based materials can be used to 
produce paper with fewer chemicals and less energy. Tree-free paper is 
generally more expensive than its conventional counterpart, but is 
available from a variety of companies. As with conventional paper, look 
for a product with high post-consumer recycled content.

How was the paper processed?

Papers (even tree-free ones) are often bleached with chlorine or chlorine 
derivatives that form dioxin­a known carcinogen­and other compounds that 
pollute local air and water supplies. Look for products labeled either 
processed chlorine free (PCF) or totally chlorine free (TCF).

Related Links

Conservatree­List of Recycled and Tree-Free Papers

Recycled Paper Coalition­Recycled Paper Fact Sheet (pdf)

Forest Stewardship Council­FSC-Certified Paper
      
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