Eco Paper in Australia & New Zealand 2010+ (2023 update in progress)

World Paper usage continues to rise increasing pressure on valuable forest resources even though standards are improving across the paper industry worldwide. While there are many issues related to forest degradation, one area we can make a difference is ensuring all paper has high post consumer recycled content. This means reduced carbon emitted in the manufacture, reduced logging, less waste and more forests. Some products may appear to have good green credentials. To increase transparency and help track through the maze of marketing claims, The REAP guide v2.5+ continues to lead + evolve, some older data remains in this guide but it is being progressively updated. Your input is welcome. Explore it’s content and visit again. SRD Members may contact REAP directly for current information via: srd [at] srd.org.au Also see Greener Print Procurement Guide & review #CoP26 current issues The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Logging Loophole at the Heart of Glasgow Declaration.(source: environmentalpaper.org) & see the SRD Responsible Design Thinking conference paper & presentation to explain the best way forward.

For all paper, always first check post and pre-consumer content, then FSC certification, manufacture processes, finish, awards and source. As most are now certified in Oz, ensure you select high recycled content.
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We can greatly reduce our carbon and environmental footprint by better understanding the processes and all environmental costs of all products we use. In paper, by maintaining the demand for greater Post Consumer content (PC), we can all assist to ease the pressure on our natural resources. We will benefit from the multiple flow-on effects of reducing the demand for virgin pulp, increasing demand for more and better recycled paper while reducing the associated pollution that creates carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) emissions from production and transport. The Paper industry is keen to show they are improving many processes and it’s only through a combined effort from industry, designers, specifiers and consumer demand that will ensure best practice is ultimately achieved. (paper usage figures from world paper forecasts) We know there are many opinions out there, so do your own research, thinking and become a greener designer as well … see also the Greener Print Procurement guide.

The REAP Guide – Recommended Environmentally Accountable Paper (for Australia + New Zealand) proudly the first substantive greener paper guide for Australasia, created in 1997, online since 2004 :: public Launch 7 Feb 05 :: v2.0.73 update 23nov10 (notes + updates Mar21) : These stocks have been recommended by the Suppliers as their most environmentally positive in each category of paper. Compare specifications as they vary widely. Listed order shows environmental and carbon footprint assessment, the higher position, the smaller the footprint, in each section. This is our own best estimate from information supplied and for usage in Australasia. NB. A ~ denotes details are unclear or to be confirmed : As specifications change over time, please confirm all data with your supplier. If a paper has minimal PC fibre content, ask WHY and request more be included, 30% should be considered an absolute minimum. Be very wary of oversimplification or mistruths in marketing. :: PC + PRE = Total Recycled content :: [#] no. of weights :: A1-A2 coated grade :: PC Post-Consumer fibre :: PRE Pre-Consumer fibre :: FSC Forest Stewardship Council (look for a papers % FSC recycled content) :: Brightness/Whiteness :: Bleaching : PCF Process Chlorine Free : TCF Totally Chlorine Free : ECF Elemental Chlorine Free :: ISO International Standards Organisation :: Find SUPPLIERS Key below … (much has recently changed here) Please also check table data below with Suppliers. This is a general guide only and All usage must be based on your own decisions for suitability.

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Articles and useful reference:
* Great interactive website tracking global deforestation. Multiple methods to view and respond. Forest change. Land Cover. Land Use. Conservation. People. (data available for last 18years). http://www.globalforestwatch.org
* 05feb2013 article highlights the good and the bad. Confirms need for more than words… environment/2013/feb/05/paper-firm-indonesian-deforestation?
*10mar2021 article: Is this the end of forests as we’ve known them?  theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/10/is-this-the-end-of-forests-as-weve-known-them
 

Wherever possible, select an uncoated paper as first preference : CTP (computer to plate, now common) processes avoids film and uses less chemicals. : Water based varnishes are likely to be safer than petro-chemical based. Request inks with low toxicity and vege based inks that have minimal VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). For short run printing some digital printers may be the better option whilst for runs over 1,000 the WATERLESS OFFSET and Alchohol Free print methods has several advantages including NOT being solvent based, prints cleaner colours and superior results especially on Uncoated stocks. Always check print details with your graphic designer. Continue to SPREAD THE GREENER MESSAGE; Print paper name, enviro qualities by percentage content and print process specifications on each job to promote your greener choices and better practice. See srd.org.au/graphic/ and srd.org.au/gppg for more.  

Many guides exist across the world, some are particularly worthy of note. The Canopy paper database from North America is certainly one of substance and depth with a good range of parameters and a substantive list of stocks. Canopy’s #EcoPaperDatabase is a go-to resource for companies looking to make the most sustainable paper and packaging decisions, and is now updated, expanded and improved for North America for 2020. @Canopyplanet @whatsnyourpapr https://canopyplanet.org/canopys-ecopaper-database-updated-and-expanded-for-2020/ #sustainability #forests #paperfutures #pack4good   

Too many false paper myths continue to be peddled, usually by those with a commercial interest in the old destructive ways. Sadly many of them can only see any value in timber after it has been cut down and see no value in standing or long-term growing forests. Here’s a short run-down on a few Paper Myths courtesy of the Environmental Paper Network.

A fairly simple Paper Calculator from WWF France and Arjowiggins. 

One of the best comparative “life cycle” analysis of Energy Usage, Atmospheric Emissions, Solid Wastes, Waterborne Wastes, Effluent Flow and Wood consumption for multiple grades and types of paper. An amazing number cruncher that itemises major environmental savings when selecting more Post Consumer Fibre (pcf) over your current choice. Though figures are non-metric, the message is still clear that higher “pc” paper gives the greatest environmental benefit by far. Links to the awesome Paper Calculator created by the US based Environmental Paper Network… the new 2018 Paper calculator  

You can use the numerous Neenah Paper Calculator tools to help with a multitude of useful things including prices…
Paper Math Calculator : Weight Conversion Calculator : Environmental Calculator : Folding Board Calculator : Hang Tags Calculator : Label Calculator : Paper Bags Calculator : Setup Boxes Calculator : Wide Format Calculator conversions.

The relatively recent formation of forest product certification schemes and their standards plus their financing supporters makes for some very interesting reading. FERN has been reviewing these and related areas in depth for some time and while finding issues with all schemes has put FSC well ahead of the others, noting that out of eight schemes reviewed only “the FSC national standards are all performance-based.” See reports from Footprints in the Forests Review of current practice and future challenges in forest certification. www.fern.org :: Ecolabel Index. Data and guidance to power sound Ecolabel Choices www.ecolabelindex.com Recent developments include FSC new global branding, “Forests For All Forever” https://au.fsc.org/newsroom.257.205.htm

It is not appropriate to have a section for Carbon Neutral? without addressing some of the many concerns within this practice and would refer all interested to CarbonWatch and this PDF. ‘The Carbon Neutral Myth: Indulgences for your climate sins’. http://www.carbontradewatch.org/pubs/carbon_neutral_myth.pdf An overview of offsets schemes and carbon trading :: Additionally, it should be noted that having a paper with NO recycled content and only carbon offsets is either simply not in the genuine interests of the environment or at best a practice that is highly questionable. Please reduce the environmental impact as a first priority.

Notes:  This page, while incomplete, encourages further review and comparisons. Feel free to promote this guide and it’s concepts to allow greater appreciation of natural resources beyond commercial values while also requesting more sustainable, responsibly produced products. Currently only European papers have Award ratings such as EMAS, Nordic Swan and Blue Angel. ISO14001 and more recently ISO14024 are other main global benchmarks for Environmental Standards. Suggestions / comments to creator, Greg Campbell : DesignOz[at]iinet.net.au : DesignOz © 2004-2021. Usage for study purposes is encouraged and all commercial usage must include copyright notice with credit and Disclaimer : all information supplied as suggestions only with suitability to be confirmed independently for each job, see other site disclaimers and end of SRD home page. E&OE. Further input from all leading paper suppliers is welcome. Recommended Environmentally Accountable Paper http://www.srd.org.au/reap-eco-paper-guide/ : Thx AGDA NSW and AGDA SA : 2.5+ update 11mar21

More paper and printing notes, references and other data here now … the Greener Print Procurement Guide.

Recycle your paper and specify high local Post Consumer recycled content, so we can all buy it back again & again, helping to save forests in the process !