Embracing Planet-Friendly Paper: A Journey Beyond the Obvious

In a world increasingly conscious of its environmental footprint, buying planet friendly paper might seem as straightforward as selecting the recycled option. Yet, like many things in life, reality is more complicated than it first appears.

Recycled paper, while a commendable choice, has its limitations. This is because paper fibres have a finite lifespan. They grow shorter with each recycling process, resulting in progressively lower paper quality, and eventually it can only serve as packaging or rough card containers such as egg boxes.

The debate about how many times paper fibres can be reconstituted continues. Some say four to six runs, while others, like the Environmental Protection Agency, advocate five to seven. Regardless, it remains a fact that harvesting trees is unavoidable, which is a compelling argument for the adoption of paperless working practices, but also buying paper based on sustainably managed woodlands and forests.

The easiest way to ensure paper comes from eco conscious origins, is by seeking out the appropriate standard marks. Certification from the Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forest Initiative, or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, guarantee that paper originates from responsibly planted and managed forests.  

Chlorine Free Paper

Beyond standard marks, there are other considerations, such as the bleaching process to create the desired white finish. Commonly used chlorine bleaching uses chlorine gas. It produces large amounts of toxic waste that usually ends up in water systems, but there are much better alternatives.

Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) paper is bleached using chlorine dioxide rather than the much more harmful chlorine gas method. Process Chlorine Free (PCF) paper is recycled paper that is bleached using 100 per cent natural constituents, causing less harm than traditional methods. However, Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) uses hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine, and is considered the most environmentally safe bleaching option.

TCF paper does not have quite the brightness of white finish of ECF paper, but is usually suitable for most businesses. PCF paper is a good option, but because it is recycled it is not known what initial bleaching processes it went through.       

Eco Friendly Printing

While opting for recycled or sustainably sourced paper is important, it is equally important to ensure any printing, coating, or lamination process is plant rather than oil based. Petroleum materials not only harm the environment through extraction and refining, but also release harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) when being applied. These VOCs are toxic and particularly harmful in enclosed spaces, and can render printed materials unrecyclable.

Thankfully, eco friendly alternatives exist. UV, latex, vegetable and soy ink can produce high quality finishes, while aqueous and UV coatings rival their plastic based counterparts in terms of presentation and protection of paper and card.

For those willing to go the extra mile in minimising environmental impact, carbon balancing within the print process is a positive endeavour to support. The Carbon Balanced Paper mark is a symbol indicating commitment to offsetting carbon emissions generated during the print process, and is an initiative endorsed by Sir David Attenborough due to the fact that the associated offset tree planting takes place in support of vulnerable habitats.

There are also Carbon Balanced Printers, that are printing companies that try and reduce carbon emissions as much as possible, and any remaining emissions are offset through targeted financial investments. Not only are these printers champions of eco practice, but they also lead the way in reducing harm from printing, and set examples for others to follow. A list can be found via this link https://www.worldlandtrust.org/carbon-balanced-paper-print/

For complete commitment to planet friendly paper, look for UL Greenguard certification. This mark signals that a printing company has dedicated itself to reducing chemical emissions, and ensuring a safe working environment. It is a symbol that reflects a strong commitment to the welfare of the environment.

Coatings and Finishes

Product packaging and marketing materials often require a coating or special finish to make them robust, stand out or both. Traditionally, oil based plastics were used for this purpose. Not only is damage done to the environment when oil is taken out of the earth and during processing, but is repeated when used as ink, including release of dangerous VOCs. Additionally, paper and card with an oil based coating cannot be recycled and ends up in landfill. But there are now sustainable options that work just as well, or better.

Aqueous coating creates a clear water based varnish gloss, matte or dull effect finish that is applied during the printing process. It is eco friendly, and is good at bringing out the best in creative designs. It is popular for FMCG packaging because being water based, it is safe around food. 

UV coatings have several advantages other than being eco friendly. The main one is that it can be used to create a very high shine finish, and make colours and graphic designs stand standout. Spot coating can be applied to specified sections of print design to focus attention on particular images or wording. UV coating also produces a durable hard surface that is easily wiped clean. And there is a soft touch finish available that produces a velvet matt feel often used to emphasise luxury branding.   

The UV coating process is free of harmful solvents, there are no VOCs, and no barriers to recycling. The other advantage is that coatings are quick to dry meaning the machines used for the drying process use comparatively little energy.  

Now there is sustainable option for lamination. A cellulose alternative to petrochemical plastic has been created that works well. The laminate is made from wood pulp sourced from sustainable woodland. It can be recycled, is 100 per cent biodegradable, and compostable. The laminate has the same features and appearance as the traditional oil based alternative.

Next Steps

Cutting down on the use of paper, and adopting the use of the recycled variety has been a growing trend for many years. However, it is possible to go several stages further in improving use of paper and card. There is no question that it takes a little time to find sustainable paper and print suppliers, but it is not a major task to obtain a range of quotes quotes.

These days, most traditional stationery companies carry recycled and sustainably harvested paper stock. However, there are specialist suppliers such as Green Stationery Company https://www.greenstat.co.uk, Paperwise https://paperwise.eu/en/, The Green Office https://www.thegreenoffice.co.uk and Antalis https://www.antalis.co.uk, that offer good options for buying planet friendly paper. And rather than trying to do everything at once, buying paper, print and print finishing services can approached in stages.  Usually once new paper supplier sources have been established, it means simply reordering with the occasional price matching exercise once a year or so.