Environmental impacts of paper production
Paper manufacture involves the use of large amounts of plant fibre, energy and water, and causes pollution.

Recycled papers
Using recycled paper reduces the overall demand for trees grown for pulp and the amount of chemicals, energy and water used in production. Recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer waste (PCW) reduces the quantities of waste going to landfill sites. Recycling paper has its own negative environmental impacts due to chemicals used in the de-inking and bleaching processes, but on balance recycled paper with a high PCW content is the best environmental choice.

The National Recycling Forum provides information on the major environmental accreditation schemes for paper and board (www.recycledproducts.org.uk)

Sustainably sourced papers
Paper produced from pulp from a sustainable source means that virgin or native forests are not destroyed for its production. Trees are grown specifically for paper production, and new trees are planted to replace those which are harvested. However, this does not address the problem of monoculture and associated environmental issues, such as the use of herbicides and pesticides.

Chlorine-free papers
When chlorine is used to bleach fibre pulp for paper, dioxins are produced. Dioxins are extremely toxic, carcinogenic, and have been linked to reproductive disorders and cancers in fish and animals. To address the problem of dioxins, paper can be produced using chlorine compounds rather than elemental chlorine, or without chlorine at all. The resulting papers are referred to as elemental chlorine-free (ECF) and totally chlorine-free (TCF).

Uncoated papers
Coated paper requires more energy and raw material for manufacture than uncoated paper. Coated paper contains a filler made from calcium carbonate, clay or other minerals, and a binder of latex, enamel or starch. Coated papers are more difficult to recycle than uncoated papers and contain less recyclable material per ton.

 

Ecographic supplies graphic
design and website design
to a wide range of clients,
specialising in meeting
the needs of businesses
and organisations with
environmental concerns.

Ecographic
Brighton Media Centre
Suite 103, 15-17 Middle St
Brighton BN1 1AL
t 01273 201361
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