Eco Paper Labels

The following eco-paper labels are the marks of leadership:

Ancient Forest Friendly™ Paper

The Ancient Forest Friendly™ logo is a designation that represents the highest ecological qualities in the paper industry. In order to be Ancient Forest Friendly, a paper must be manufactured with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled fibre or agricultural residue. Any virgin fibre used in the paper must be both FSC certified and assessed as not originating from endangered forests. Bleaching must be chlorine free. Ancient Forest Friendly papers conserve intact forest ecosystems and their functions such as climate stabilization, water regulation and species habitat.

Forest Stewardship Council

FSC has a number of paper labels for use on papers with FSC Pure, FSC Recycled, and mixed fibre contents. www.fsc.org/en/getting_involved/use_trademark/new_labels

Processed Chlorine Free is reserved for recycled content paper. This includes all recycled fibers used as a feedstock that meet EPA guidelines for recycled or post-consumer content. PCF papers have not been rebleached with chlorine containing compounds. Minimum of 30% post-consumer content is required. www.chlorinefreeproducts.org

Totally Chlorine Free is reserved for virgin fiber papers. TCF papers do not use pulp produced with chlorine or chlorine containing compounds as bleaching agents. www.chlorinefreeproducts.org

Environmental Choice EcoLogoM

EcoLogoM was started by the Government of Canada in 1998 and certifies environmental leaders in over 300 categories of products. For close to a decade the EcoLogoM program has certified paper meeting leadership requirements for fiber use, energy use, COD emissions, sub-lethal toxicity, acidification potential and global warming impacts. EcoLogoM certification requirements are regularly updated and products are re-audited regularly to ensure certified products are leaders in their categories.

Biogas Energy

Biogas refers to the use, in the paper manufacturing process, of the gas generated from decomposition of landfill. This process helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A Note about Recycled labels

Many papers carry the mobius loop which features three arrows in a triangle formation.

Unless you use a recycled paper certified by a credible third party with a chain of custody, the recycled content contained in the paper is not guaranteed. The FSC 100% recycled paper label ensures that the paper does in fact contain recycled content as per the FSC criteria. SFI and PEFC also have labels or claims that guarantee recycled paper content.

Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) and Post Consumer Waste (PCW) both refer to paper collected from recycling bins; this paper has already been through its full life cycle.

Recyclable

This mobius loop simply means the paper can be recycled. Don't be fooled into thinking that this paper grade has been produced using post-consumer recycled fibre.