Waste content.
What is VerdePaperie’s policy on recycled paper?
The minimum Post Consumer Waste content of the recycled paper accepted at VerdePaperie is 30%. Most are higher. My hope is that as more and more designers demand recycled paper and envelopes, the choices and availability will become greater and that soon, VerdePaperie will carry everything 100% PCW and made with only vegetable-based inks. You, as the consumer, play a huge role in that change. It takes 40% less energy to make recycled paper than virgin paper. That is a HUGE difference.
Facts on recycled paper:
- Reduces the demand on forests
- Uses less total energy
- Uses less bleach
- Produces fewer toxic releases
- Saves water
- Reduces waste that would be added to landfills or incinerated into the atmosphere
- Has a fiber efficiency rate of more than 70%, compared to 25-45% for virgin papers
What is virgin paper?
Virgin paper comes straight from the tree in the forest. There is no pre or post consumer waste used to make this type of paper. Trees are actually harvested for the paper. This is not always a bad thing if the trees come from an FSC certified forest, which basically means that a tree is chopped down and another one is planted immediately in its place. However, more than 90% of printing and office paper use “virgin” paper only - not from FSC certified forests. For one ton of virgin paper to be made, three tons of trees are needed, or 24 trees total. None for 100% PCW paper. Deforestation accounts for 25% of the annual carbon emissions caused by human activity.
What is acid free/chlorine free paper?
Chlorine is the bleach we all know, and probably use, that makes everything bright white. But did you know that bleach, when used, turns into dioxins which are highly toxic, even at very low levels. Dioxins do not break down in the environment and they accumulate in the human tissue. Dioxins are highly carcinogenic and have been linked to reproductive problems and genetic damage. This is a product we use almost everyday! The best paper to find is Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) which uses hydrogen peroxide to bleach the paper.
Why are soy-based inks better than petroleum-based inks?
Soy-based inks come from soybean oils. It is a renewable resource. However, the most important difference is the amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) released into the atmosphere. Soy-based inks release 82% fewer VOC’s than petroleum-based inks. Also, the cleaning of the printers is much less toxic. Most can be cleaned with simple vegetable oil. Designs made with soy-based inks are also easier to biodegrade and recycle.
12 things I could easily do in my home to help the environment:
- NEVER IDLE YOUR CAR UNLESS YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC!!! You can talk on your cell phone without having the car running. And you can get out of the car to get your mocha instead of idling in line.
- Use bar soap instead of body washes that are in plastic bottles. Think of how much plastic could be saved by doing this one action alone.
- Hand wash your dishes instead of using the dishwasher.
- If you are a runner, run outside (weather permitting) instead of using a power sucking treadmill.
- Use beeswax or soy candles in your home. They are toxin free and therefore don’t emit benzone, mercury, and lead into the air like paraffin wax candles.
- Baking soda is an amazing non-toxic, all-purpose cleaner.
- Turn off the shower while you shave your legs, ladies.
- Pay your bill on-line. To help encourage this, some companies are now charging you if you pay the old-fashioned way.
- Reuse envelopes and boxes. Recycle, recycle, recycle.
- Make sure that your laundry loads are full and that you use cold water when washing. And try to wash after 7:30p to save energy.
- Buy in bulk and as much as you can, buy locally.
- Stop with the plastic bags. Keep canvas bags in your car and use them instead of the plastic bags that infiltrate our oceans, suffocating the ocean life.