Recycled Paper

We all need to look after our environment. We can offer printing on recycled paper for those who insist on it. However, recycled paper is not the only option for a clear conscience. It depends on your defenition of “Recycled Paper”. The following link points to an article that seems to define “recycled” as paper that has been put into the household recycling bin and sent back to the paper mill: How Well Do You Know Recycled Paper (EnvironmentalChemistry.com) — Just like anything else, the recycled paper you buy may not always be what it seems.
However, the paper mill itself will have paper waste that they will re-use. This has been happening since well before the consumer started demanding recycled paper. Then there is the paper that has been printed but never made it to the consumer — e.g. the paper that we use here at Same Day Printers (and just about every printer in the country!). Our scraps go into the recycling bin too (large printers have their own recovery system and containers). Or the magazines that never got sold.
Paper recycling involves de-inking, re-bleaching and generally making it ready for re-use. These extra processes make recycled paper more expensive.
Recycled paper rarely consists of more than 30% recycled paper.
If you find these facts disappointing, or worry about the world’s forests, do not despair. As mentioned above, there are other ways of looking after our planet. The world has the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This organisation not only looks after the forests, but also the indigenous people who live (and often work) in those forests, as well as the paper industry. The “FSC Principles and Criteria describe how the forests have to be managed to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations. They include managerial aspects as well as environmental and social requirements. In fact, FSC rules are the strictest and FSC’s social and environmental requirements the highest.”
It is becoming very hard for paper mills to sell paper from a forest that has not been certified by the FSC.
The following is taken from the FSC website:
Here is a summary of some of the points the FSC Principles and Criteria require. Many of the points listed below will appear almost basic — but in many places even these basic requirements are not fulfilled. This is where FSC can have the biggest positive impact.

• Prohibit conversion of forests or any other natural habitat
• Respect of international workers rights
• Respect of Human Rights with particular attention to indigenous peoples
• Prohibit the use of hazardous chemicals
• No corruption — follow all applicable laws
• Identification and appropriate management of areas that need special protection (e.g. cultural or sacred sites, habitat of endangered animals or plants)

For a New Zealand perspective, check out the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development or go straight to the comprehensive Paper Buying Guide there (Download the 620KB PDF file).