Environmental and Health Issues and Recommendations
 Recycled Content:
Postconsumer paper fiber comes from paper that has been used by consumers and then collected through recycling programs. Recycled-content options exist within most grades of paper, and most recycled papers contain a minimum of 10 to 30 percent postconsumer material. One hundred (100) percent postconsumer recycled content papers are available within a number of paper grades.
Compared to virgin paper manufacturing, making paper from recycled material saves trees, reduces climate-changing gas emissions, requires less energy, lowers air pollution and effluent flows[1], and conserves landfill space.
- Look for paper with the highest postconsumer content available in the specific grade.
 Materials Availability:
Using agricultural residues, such as bagasse (sugarcane residue), to make paper offers a beneficial use for what could otherwise be a waste product, and does not entail the additional use of land to provide fiber for use in paper.[2]
 Less Hazardous:
Buying paper that is unbleached or bleached without chlorine or chlorine compounds reduces pollution.
- Whenever possible, choose paper labeled as "processed chlorine-free" because it is produced with a less hazardous process and it includes recycled fiber. For information on different chlorine-free designations, see "Bleaching Chemicals."
 End-of-Life Management:
- Help others to recycle by avoiding heavily dyed papers and coated papers, which are more difficult to recycle.
See the Introduction for complete descriptions of these environmental and health issues.
See also the Copier Paper, Printing Services, and Inks sections.
BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES
NOTE: There are numerous grades of printing and writing papers; therefore, it is not possible to provide information in this Manual regarding every available grade of paper. Nearly every common grade of paper is available with at least one environmental attribute, such as some level of postconsumer content.
Printing paper differs from office copier paper in that it is available in a large range of basis weights, formats, and finishes. Available in different grades, printing papers are used for everything from letterheads and brochures to newsletters, directories, booklet covers, and business cards.
Coated printing papers have a smooth clay coating, while uncoated printing papers have a slightly fibrous surface rather than a clay coating. Coated papers are valued for their smoothness, which allows for "crisp, vibrant reproduction of four-color graphics and photographs."[3]
The environmental impacts of printing paper begin with its production - in tree harvesting, pulping, and bleaching - and continue to the product's end-of-life management.
Environmental and Health Issues
Recycled Content
When buying printing paper with postconsumer content, we help to ensure the success of paper recycling by closing the recycling loop. Remember that buying products with postconsumer content directly supports collection programs. Our willingness as consumers to recycle paper - and, just as importantly, to purchase recycled-content paper - results in price reductions and wider selections of recycled-content papers.
Compared to virgin paper manufacturing, making paper from recycled material saves trees, reduces climate-changing gas emissions, requires less energy, lowers air pollution and effluent flows[4], and conserves landfill space.
What to look for: Look for paper with higher levels of postconsumer content. See the Availability section.
Bleaching Chemicals
Additional benefits come from choosing paper made with less or no chlorine. Bleaching (whitening) paper pulp with elemental chlorine or chlorine compounds produces chlorinated pollutants, such as dioxin, in the wastewater stream[5][6]. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, dioxin "is a toxic industrial pollutant that is … persistent in the environment. It accumulates in the fat tissue of animals and humans and has been linked to adverse human health effects, including cancer and toxicity to reproductive, immunologic, and endocrine systems."[7] Totally chlorine-free bleaching, which uses alternative bleaching agents, such as oxygen and peroxide, eliminates dioxins and other chlorinated pollutants from the wastewater stream.[8] In order to reduce potential risks, a number of paper manufacturers are switching to chlorine-free technologies.
What to look for: When buying paper, choose chlorine-free or less-chlorinated products by looking for the following language on labels and in catalogs:
"Totally chlorine-free" (TCF). This applies to tree-free or virgin paper fiber that is unbleached or processed without chlorine or chlorine derivatives.
"Processed chlorine-free" (PCF) applies to recycled paper fiber that is unbleached or bleached without chlorine or chlorine derivatives; however, since some of the waste paper being recycled may previously have been bleached with chlorine, recycled paper labeled PCF cannot be labeled TCF. If the final product that is labeled PCF contains any virgin or tree-free fiber, then that fiber must be TCF.
"Elemental chlorine-free" (ECF) paper fiber is bleached with chlorine derivatives that produce fewer dioxins than elemental chlorine.
Fiber
In papermaking, a fiber is a tiny thread-like unit of vegetable growth.[9] Fiber is the main component of most printing papers (in terms of the weight of the total sheet, coated papers contain less fiber than uncoated papers), and it can come from sources such as trees, recovered paper, agricultural residues (e.g., bagasse, which is sugarcane residue), and on-purpose non-tree crops (e.g., kenaf, hemp, and flax).
What to look for: Here is a hierarchy of fiber to consider, starting with the most environmentally preferable fiber:
- Postconsumer fiber
- Agricultural residue fiber
- On-purpose non-tree crop fiber and/or fiber from sustainably harvested non-old growth and non-endangered forests
Fiber to Avoid
Forests can be rich sources of biodiversity.[10] They are important for fish and wildlife habitat; provide food, shelter, and aesthetic and recreational benefits to humans; help slow global warming by storing and sequestering carbon; and help regulate local and regional rainfall.[11] Avoid paper made from fiber from old growth forests, endangered forests, and unsustainably harvested forests. These terms may be defined differently by different parties, so to err on the safer side, consider purchasing paper with the highest amount of postconsumer content possible. Postconsumer material contains no new tree fiber and is a low-risk fiber source. You may also wish to consider papers for which the content has been certified by an independent third party, such as the Forest Stewardship Council or the Chlorine Free Products Association.
LAWS AND GUIDELINES
California
Statute and Regulation
State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC)
- Recycled-Content Product Procurement Requirements
- Public Contract Code (PCC) section 12203 requires State agencies (including California State Universities) to ensure that at least 50 percent of the dollars spent on printing and writing papers (PW) be spent on papers with at least 30 percent, by fiber weight, postconsumer fiber. Printed newspapers that meet the requirements of the recycled-content newsprint law (Public Resources Code sections 42750-42791) are considered to be in compliance with the minimum content requirement.
- The SABRC printing and writing paper (PW) category includes, but is not limited to, copy, xerographic, watermark, cotton fiber, offset, forms, computer printout paper, white wove envelopes, manila envelopes, book paper, note pads, writing tablets, newsprint, and other uncoated writing papers, posters, index cards, calendars, brochures, reports, magazines, and publications (see PCC section 12207).
- Recycled-Content Certification Requirements
- PCC section 12205 requires all State agencies to obtain from all suppliers written certification of the postconsumer content of each product offered or sold to the State. Recycled-content certification forms are available in the SABRC training manual.
- Recycled-Content Product Procurement Report
- Recycled-Content Product Procurement Contract Language
- PCC section 12217(f) directs State agencies to remove contract provisions that impede the consideration of recycled products and to replace them with performance standards.
Recycled-Content Newsprint Program
The requirements of the Recycled-Content Newsprint Program are set forth in statute (Public Resources Code sections 42750-42791) and regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 4, Article 4, Sections 17950-17974).
California law mandates the use of a specified amount of recycled-content newsprint (RCN) by printers and publishers located in California. The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) implements a program to encourage and track the use of RCN.
- At least 50 percent of the newsprint used by each printer and publisher (consumers) in California must contain a minimum of 40 percent postconsumer paper fiber.
- Consumers must report annually to the CIWMB the total amount of RCN and the total amount of non-RCN used.
- Manufacturers must report the de-inked pulp received and/or produced, the postconsumer paper received, and the amount of RCN shipped to California.
- State of California agencies and departments cannot purchase newsprint from manufacturers who are not in compliance with the program.
Federal
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The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requires procuring agencies to buy recycled-content products designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG). Printing and writing papers are USEPA-designated items. "Procuring agencies include all federal agencies, and any state or local government agencies or government contractors that use appropriated federal funds to purchase the designated items. If your agency spends more than $10,000 per year on a product designated in the CPG, you are required to purchase it with the highest recycled-content level practicable."[12] This means that the recycled-content ranges recommended in the USEPA's Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) for the item in question are met.[13] The USEPA's recommended recovered fiber content levels for printing and writing papers are available on-line.
"Executive Order 13101 and the Federal Acquisition Regulation also call for an increase in the federal government's use of recycled-content and environmentally preferable products."[14]
- United States Environmental Protection Agency
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has set the following objective:
All printing paper products used by EPA are to meet the standards of the "New Environmental Standards for EPA Paper and Publications" set forth by memorandum of January 2001. This standard sets the standard for paper and publications as 100 percent recycled, minimum 50 percent postconsumer content paper. Whenever possible, this paper should also be "Process Chlorine Free." Some paper stocks, especially color paper stocks, may not be readily available with this content standard. When this situation arises, a minimum 30 percent postconsumer content is required. (Products mentioned in this section include but are not limited to the following applications: Copy Paper, Printing Paper, Letterhead, Envelopes, and Color Paper.)[15]
PERFORMANCE
Recycled and tree-free papers can be manufactured to meet the same performance standards as virgin paper made from wood pulp. Furthermore, recycled and tree-free papers often exceed virgin paper for opacity. Simply put, they are harder to see through, which is of particular benefit when printing double-sided documents. Recycled paper does not have to "look recycled," meaning it is available without the speckles, flecks, and color shadings which are included in some recycled papers as product enhancements for aesthetic reasons.
"There are no simple rules-of-thumb to allow buyers to select paper products that will satisfy their individual needs. Buyers must either create specifications to quantify specific requirements or, more often, … learn which products perform adequately in their unique circumstances." [16] Fortunately, paper distributors maintain knowledgeable customer service departments and are able to provide good information about their products.[17] In addition, paper manufacturers will provide printed samples that describe the paper stock and printing techniques used for each sample.
AVAILABILITY
The paper marketplace has always offered buyers many choices among virgin papers, and now it offers a similar range of products with postconsumer content. Tree-free and chlorine-free papers are becoming more popular, but availability is likely to vary by print shop. Consult your printer when choosing a printing paper. Ask to see their current lists of vendors and the printing papers offered, as well as current swatchbooks showing the wide variety of available styles. You may also wish to refer your printer to existing lists of environmentally preferable papers, such as the comprehensive lists that are available from Conservatree, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to converting paper markets to environmental papers. This may allow your printer to encourage their vendors to expand their selection of environmentally preferable papers in the future.
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Uncoated papers: Most grades of uncoated papers are available with postconsumer content, and some commonly used text and cover papers are available with up to 100 percent postconsumer content and/or processed chlorine-free fiber.
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Coated papers: Coated papers are available with postconsumer content, and some are available with up to 50 percent postconsumer content and/or processed chlorine-free fiber.
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Acid-free papers: Many environmentally preferable papers are acid-free for archival longevity. This includes papers made with postconsumer paper fiber, pre- and postconsumer cotton, organic cotton, tree-free fiber, processed chlorine-free fiber, and many combinations thereof.
COST
Many grades of paper, "such as text and cover (often used for letterhead, brochures and publications) and some coated papers are cost-competitive with virgin papers or even cost less."[18] Tree-free papers are often more expensive, but are becoming more competitive as availability expands. Remember that paper markets for all types of paper (virgin and recycled) are always in a state of flux.
You can reduce paper and postage costs by:
- Working with your printer to optimize trim size.
- Lowering the paper basis weight, if possible.
- Printing on both sides of the paper.
- Reducing the width of margins and font size, if appropriate.[19]
SPECIFICATIONS
California
The Procurement Engineering Team of the Procurement Division of the Department of General Services develops and reviews specifications for statewide commodity standards and information technology. If you have questions regarding developing specifications, or would like a copy of one of their specifications, please contact the team.
Government agencies may also wish to contact a Customer Service Representative at the Office of State Publishing.
Tips for Writing Specifications
Sample Language
When buying printing paper, include specifications which require the paper to consist of at least 30 percent, by fiber weight, postconsumer fiber and to be processed chlorine-free. Besides environmental and health benefits, your specifications can ultimately help lead to better prices by increasing demand for recycled-content, chlorine-free paper. Here are two sample clauses:
"All papers must consist of at least 30 percent, by fiber weight, postconsumer fiber. Vendors must certify that papers meet this postconsumer content specification. Vendors must also certify that the papers meet standards for quality, brightness, opacity, and smoothness as specified in this solicitation. Vendors are encouraged to provide products that contain a higher percentage of postconsumer fiber than the 30 percent minimum and are processed chlorine-free."
"All papers must contain 100 percent, by fiber weight, postconsumer fiber and must be processed chlorine-free. Vendors must certify that papers meet these postconsumer content and chlorine-free specifications. Vendors must also certify that the papers meet standards for quality, brightness, opacity, and smoothness as specified in this solicitation."
Other Specifications
United States Government Printing Office. Government Paper Specification Standards.
VENDORS
Statewide Contracts
To find statewide recycled-content paper contracts, search the Department of General Service's Procurement Information Network database by key word or contract number.
Government agencies may also wish to contact an Office of State Publishing (OSP) Customer Service Representative. The OSP uses recycled-content paper on a regular basis.
Other Sources
Many paper companies can provide information on a wide variety of recycled-content, chlorine-free, and tree-free papers. Talk with your current paper supplier about product lines with the environmental attributes discussed above.
Conservatree
The non-profit organization Conservatree maintains comprehensive lists of environmentally preferable papers within numerous grades.
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
The CIWMB's Recycled-Content Product Directory contains thousands of listings of recycled-content products from thousands of suppliers.
Minnesota, Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of (SWMCB)
The SWMCB's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide lists printing paper vendors.
SUCCESS STORIES
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
The CIWMB used high postconsumer content processed chlorine-free papers for many of the promotional materials for its high-profile Annual Recycled Product Trade Show. These papers included:
- A coated paper that is processed chlorine-free and 100 percent total recycled content with 50 percent postconsumer content. This paper was used to print the award-winning exhibitor prospectus for the 2005 Trade Show.
- 100 percent postconsumer content, processed chlorine-free, uncoated text and cover papers.
- 90 percent postconsumer content/10 percent hemp/flax blend, processed chlorine-free, uncoated text and cover paper.
Minnesota, Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of (SWMCB) The SWMCB's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide provides environmentally preferable printing paper success stories.
Books
- In 2003, the Canadian edition of a very popular children's book was printed on 100 percent postconsumer content processed chlorine-free paper. The initial print run was of 930,000 copies.[20]
- In the United States, the Green Press Initiative is helping to shift the marketplace by enrolling publishers, printers, suppliers, and producers to make formal commitments to eliminate the use of paper with endangered forest fiber and to maximize the use of recycled, credibly-certified, and alternative fiber paper that is produced chlorine free.
RESOURCES AND WEBSITES
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Sacramento, CA
(916) 341-6000
The CIWMB's mission is to reduce waste, promote the management of all materials to their highest and best use, and protect public health and safety and the environment, in partnership with all Californians. The following information is available on the CIWMB's Web site:
California Department of General Services, Office of State Publishing (OSP)
Sacramento, CA
(916) 322-1032
The OSP's mission is to provide innovative printing and communication solutions through its specialized knowledge, statewide perspective, and coordinated public and private partnership. The OSP will enhance the economic well being and quality of life for all of its customers, employees and other business partners, and its services are available to state, federal, county and city agencies. The OSP uses recycled-content paper on a regular basis.
Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA)
Algonquin, IL
(847) 658-6104
The CFPA is a not-for-profit state of Illinois corporation. The primary purpose of the association is to promote Totally Chlorine Free policies, programs, and technologies throughout the world. The CFPA awards qualified manufacturers the certifications "Processed Chlorine Free" and "Totally Chlorine Free." Visit the CFPA's Web site for information on its certification and educational services, lists of the paper products it has certified, and relevant news articles.
Conservatree
San Francisco, CA
(415) 561-6530
Conservatree is a non-profit organization dedicated to converting paper markets to environmental papers. They maintain a comprehensive Web site that provides technical assistance with selecting environmentally preferable papers. It includes an extensive listing of environmentally preferable papers that is sorted by specific paper grade.
Fiber Futures
San Francisco, CA
Fiber Futures is a non-profit organization that provides information on the latest developments in tree-free fiber paper manufacturing and distribution.
Green Press Initiative
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 995-5785
The Green Press Initiative is a non-profit program, and its mission is to work with publishers, industry stakeholders, and authors to create paper-use transformations that will conserve natural resources and preserve endangered forests.
Green Seal
Washington, DC
(202) 872-6400
Green Seal is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that certifies a variety of environmental products that pass stringent testing standards. See its reports titled "Choose Green Report: Alternative Fiber Papers" and "Choose Green Report: Printing and Writing Papers."
King County Environmental Purchasing Program
Seattle, WA
(206) 296-0100
(800) 325-6165
King County is a pioneer and contemporary model in environmental procurement. See its Recycled Paper Web page.
The Paper Calculator
The Paper Calculator is a Web-based tool that allows you to compare the environmental impacts of specific types of recycled and virgin papers. It is accessible from the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive's Web site.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Washington, DC
(202) 272-0167
In order to assist federal agencies in purchasing environmentally preferable products and services, the USEPA offers a range of information about products such as recycled-content paper. Visit the USEPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) Web site for Recovered Materials Advisory Notices (RMANs), which recommend recycled-content levels. The site includes a paper and paper products page, a downloadable paper products fact sheet for 2004, a CPG Supplier Database, and a Database of Environmental Information for Products and Services.
United States Government Printing Office (GPO)
Washington, DC
(202) 512-0000
The GPO is the federal government's primary centralized resource for gathering, cataloging, producing, providing, authenticating, and preserving published information in all its forms. Visit the GPO's Web site to obtain government paper specification standards and contact information for the Paper Procurement Section.
[1] Based on calculations made for office paper and newsprint using the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive's Paper Calculator. Available at http://www.ofee.gov/recycled/calculat.htm.
[2] Paper Task Force. Paper Task Force Recommendations for Purchasing and Using Environmentally Preferable Paper, 1995, p. 199. Available at http://www.environmentaldefense.org/article.cfm?ContentID=1689.
[3] Conservatree. Paper Guide: Paper Grade Descriptions Web page, http://www.conservatree.org/paper/PaperDesc.shtml.
[4]Based on calculations made for office paper and newsprint using the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive's Paper Calculator. Available at http://www.ofee.gov/recycled/calculat.htm
[5]Conservatree. Environmentally Sound Paper Overview: Essential Issues. Part III - Making Paper: Content. Available at http://www.conservatree.org/learn/Essential%20Issues/EIOverview.shtmll.
[6]United States Environmental Protection Agency. Fact Sheet: The Pulp and Paper Industry, the Pulping Process, and Pollutant Releases to the Environment (1997), 2-3. Available at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/pulppaper/jd/fs2.pdf
[7]United States Environmental Protection Agency. ORD/NCER STAR Grants Dioxin Research Web page (2000). Available at http://es.epa.gov/ncer/publications/topical/dioxin.html
[8]United States Environmental Protection Agency. Fact Sheet: The Pulp and Paper Industry, the Pulping Process, and Pollutant Releases to the Environment (1997), 2-3. Available at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/pulppaper/jd/fs2.pdf
[9] Charles Finley, Ph.D. Printing Paper and Ink, Delmar Publishers, Albany, New York, 1997, p. 405.
[10]United States Environmental Protection Agency. Technical Document: EPA's Draft Report on the Environment 2003, p. 5-9. Available at http://www.epa.gov/Envindicators/roe/pdf/EPA_Draft_ROE.pdf
[11]Union of Concerned Scientists. Invasive Species - Forests Web page. Available at http://www.ucsusa.org/invasive_species/forests-index.html
[12] United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Buy-Recycled Series Paper Products Fact Sheet. Available at http://www.epa.gov/cpg/factshts.htm
[13]From California Integrated Waste Management Board staff communication with Office of the Federal Environmental Executive staff on December 12, 2005
[14]United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Buy-Recycled Series Paper Products Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.epa.gov/cpg/factshts.htm
[15]United States Environmental Protection Agency. Greening EPA, EPA's Executive Order 13101 Goals for 2005 and 2010 Web page. Available at http://www.epa.gov/oppt/epp/pubs/13101.pdf
[16] King County Environmental Purchasing Program. Paper, Recycled Web page. Available at http://www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/paper.htm
[17] King County Environmental Purchasing Program. Paper, Recycled Web page. Available at http://www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/paper.htm
[18]Fact Sheet: Buy Recycled Paper! by Susan Kinsella for the Recycled Paper Coalition, published by the Buy Recycled Business Alliance of the National Recycling Coalition (March 2000), p. 4. Available at http://www.conservatree.org/paper/PaperTypes/RPCrecypprFactSheet.pdf
[19]Minnesota Environmental Initiative. The Blue Ribbon Task Force Print Buyer Guidelines - Environmental Considerations for the Print Buyer. Available at http://www.mn-ei.org/policy/printbuyer.html
[20]Markets Initiative Web site. Available at http://www.oldgrowthfree.com/potter.html (offline). Accessed on April 6, 2006.
Special Note: Portions of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices Manual were borrowed or adapted from the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Minnesota.
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