Types of Recycled Paper

Recycled paper is easily accessible, usable, and affordable, and there are two kinds of recycled paper available. Pre-consumer waste is scraps from the paper mill used to make recycled paper, and post-consumer content recycled paper is made from paper that has already been used and recycled by the consumer. Using recycled paper instead of virgin forest fiber paper reduces energy consumption by 44%, net greenhouse emissions by 38%, particulate emissions by 41%, wastewater by 50%, solid waste by 49%, and wood use by 100%. Knowing the difference between post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled fibers will help purchasers make educated choices on paper products.

Paper scraps and trimmings from a paper mill are called “mill broke” and these are also known as pre-consumer content or waste. These paper scraps, which have never reached there end use, can be recycled back into paper at the mill. It is typically from printers’ trimmings or damaged paper rolls, and when mixed with water, it can be turned back into paper pulp. The paper mill can manufacture the paper pulp internally to make recycled paper.

Post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled paper is paper that has been printed on and used by consumers or commercial entities. There are different amounts of PCW used in recycled paper, and these are noted on the packaging of paper products including copy paper, letterhead, and envelopes. The Environmental Protection Agency requires a minimum of 30% PCW to allow paper to be called “recycled.” 100% post consumer waste recycled paper is readily available, and significantly more environmentally friendly.
When purchasing paper products, look for 100% PCW, as well as 100% processed chlorine free (PCF) products, both of which are clearly marked on package labeling. These standards exceed the EPA requirements, and are the best environmental choice. Chlorine-free bleaching methods avoid the production of dangerous toxic residues during the bleaching process, which pollutes rivers and streams and can be harmful to the health of wildlife and humans.

Bio: Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “Types of Recycled Paper” notes the options available for recycled paper offered by Greenlinepaper.com. Greenlinepaper.com is a socially responsible company that features 100% post-consumer waste paper products, natural cleaning supplies, and biodegradable home products.

GreenLine Paper’s Green Office Guide

Everyday choices for an office can make a huge difference in the future of global health, as well as economic and social benefits. This energy guide suggests a number of energy saving opportunities that can make a difference. Choices of lighting, office equipment, paper products, heating and cooling systems, water conservation, and cars and parking can all reduce global warming pollution, and reduce costs.

Lighting uses about 29% of the total energy use in an office. By changing fluorescent lighting from T-12 to T-8 or T-5 size lamps, using dimmable ballasts, and changing to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can save thousands of energy dollars in an office building. Changing exit signs and exterior lighting to CFLs will also cut energy usage and costs. Occupancy sensors can also be used to automatically turn lights off when nobody is in a room.

Considering computers, printers, copiers, and faxes, office equipment is enormous energy expenditure. If workstations would be shut down at night, and automatically set to go into “sleep” mode during daytime idle periods, it could save millions of tons of CO2 emissions! Additionally, look for Energy Star labels when replacing copiers, faxes, and other office equipment. Energy Star copiers use less energy with automatic turn off functions, and some are capable of making double sided copies to use less paper.

Offices literally use tons and tons of paper, and there are effortless ways to use much less; for example relying on electronic copies instead of printing, single spacing what is printed, and simply using both sides of a piece of paper. Purchasing recycled paper is an obvious standard, but look for labels that say the paper is made from at least 30% “Post Consumer Waste” (100% PCW is available and preferable), and is non-chlorine bleached. Using recycling paper saves significant energy, water, air emissions, and landfill space. Colored paper, magazines, newsprint, and boxes can be recycled in addition to standard white paper. A business should always encourage and support the recycling of all eligible products like glass, aluminum and plastics as well as paper.

There are many options for green office supplies which are excellent choices for an environmentally responsible office. Products should be chosen that are recycled, tree-free, biodegradable, non-toxic, sustainable, or reusable. Paper products, pens and pencils, planners, filing products, ink cartridges, and more, all should be used. Responsible choices can be made when purchasing other products in an office including cups and food containers, trash bags, and cleaning supplies.

There are so many things an office can do to reduce their HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) usage, which can be up to 40% of energy use in a business. Choose the most efficient HVAC products when purchasing a system, but they will not likely be the least expensive; however, the reduced utility bills will quickly make up for it. For optimal system performance, these systems need to be properly maintained and operated. Operationally, automatic thermostats can be installed to turn the systems on and off when needed, eliminating wasteful use.

There are creative options for high efficiency cooling and heating including outside air economizers. These use the cool outside air to flush the building with fresh air. This allows less air conditioning use during the day, and these systems pay for themselves in 3-5 years. Another method to avoid the intense heat of the sun is solar shading opportunities. They include reflective roof coatings, which use white roof coverage that reflects the sun’s heat back into the atmosphere. Window films and shading are also used to shield a building from the sun’s heat. Another inventive option is to have trees and shrubs planted on the south and west side of a building to provide natural shade. Eco-roofs actually use vegetation as the roof surface. This does not allow as much heat absorption through the roof, and it also has drainage advantages.

Water conservation and water heating methods are important elements of having a green office. For hot water heaters, set the temperature at 120 degrees, and consider a smaller or even a tankless unit. Solar pre-heating units are now available, which can save 50% off of hot water bills, and also allows for state tax credits. As far as plumbing, install low flush toilets and low flow faucets, and always fix leaks. Thousands of gallons of water can be wasted from leaks that are simple to repair.

A significant saving of gasoline and a reduction of greenhouse emissions can result from employers who support the reduction of drive time for employees. Employers can subsidize transit, and encourage carpooling with incentives. Employers can support bicycle commuting with secure bike parking and access to locker rooms and showers. Offering flexible work schedules including telecommuting and compressed work weeks reduces commute time, and increases worker productivity. If a company has car fleets, choosing hybrid cars, and using recycled motor oil and antifreeze are environmentally friendly options.

In order to implement some of the above, or research alternative products, some businesses hire a conservation manager. They can track energy use, encourage employee participation in green causes, and facilitate the use of green office supplies. Implementing any of these suggestions can be an important step toward improving the health of our world, and GreenLine Paper supports these causes as well as supplying socially responsible office products.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “GreenLine Paper’s Green Office Guide” encourages the use of green office supplies and responsible energy choices.

Do More than Recycle to Go Green; Use Environmental Paper

Being a responsible consumer means not just recycling and reusing, it means thinking green when a purchase is made. Did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency defines recycled paper as paper manufactured with only 30% post consumer waste (PCW)? Many retailers sell paper as “recycled” when it only meets this low percentage. Paper should exceed the EPA standards to be considered truly recycled. When shopping for environmental paper look for 100% post consumer recycled fibers and the Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) logo from the Chlorine Free Products Association. Other green certifications include Environmental Choice, EcoLogo, and FSC Recycled. Seek out these higher standards to make conscientious choices when purchasing environmental paper.

The quality of recycled paper has significantly improved through the years, and is now available in high grades, equaling the quality of virgin tree paper. Recycled content paper is used for business cards, letterhead, magazines, catalogs, copy paper, and more, and it has the same excellent appearance as non-recycled paper.

Producing recycled copy paper vs. virgin forest fiber copy paper uses significantly less energy, greenhouse gas emissions, particulate emissions, wastewater, solid waste, and of course, 100% fewer tree resources. Forty-two percent of the world’s wood harvest is used to make paper, and the paper industry is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions among the manufacturing industries. Furthermore, paper decomposition in landfills is one of the biggest sources of methane releases into the environment. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas.

Paper and paper products are the largest single component of society’s waste stream. The movement to recycle paper and manufacture products is primarily an effort to reduce the amount of costly, disposable waste. When we choose to use recycled paper for our businesses and homes, we don’t have to sacrifice quality. Recycled paper is readily available in many high quality grades meeting the same technical specifications as virgin (tree) paper. The quality of recycled paper has improved significantly over the years, so that it performs well in office copiers, fax machines, printers and printing machines.

There are many companies offer the most comprehensive selection of environmental papers available. Their product line includes recycled office paper, envelopes, planners, school supplies, non-toxic cleaning products, and even organic and fair trade foods.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “Do More than Recycle to Go Green; Use Environmental Paper” outlines the importance of choosing 100% recycled paper which is offered by Greenlinepaper.com.

Why Buy Recycled Paper and Tree-Free Paper?

Many people wonder, “Why buy recycled paper and tree-free paper?” Both recycled and tree-free paper use less materials, and energy to produce an abundance of quality paper and paper products. They also reduce the devastation on the environment. Tree-free paper especially eliminates the need to cut down trees to produce paper.

Why Buy Recycled Paper and Tree-free Paper?
You may wonder, “Why buy recycled paper and tree-free paper?” According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), making paper from recycled materials produces 74 percent less air pollution and 35 percent less water pollution. When you ask yourself, “Why buy recycled paper and tree-free paper?” it’s important to realize that using recycled paper helps save valuable natural resources in our forests and reduces the paper waste filling up our already over crowed landfills.
Why buy recycled paper and tree-free paper? Because recycled and tree-free paper work just as well as virgin paper. They’re used in many homes and offices for printing, faxing, copying and other administrative duties. In order for paper to be considered recycled, the government currently requires that it contain at least 30 percent recycled material.

The Benefits of Recycled and Tree-free Paper
When consumers use 100 percent recycled paper, they automatically use less chlorine. Chlorine produces Dioxin, a dangerous chemical that studies show can lead to cancer in people and wildlife. Why buy recycled paper and tree-free paper? Because they can lead to a healthier environment for everyone.

Tree-free Paper Alternatives
The production of tree-free paper is another step toward decreasing deforestation. Tree-free paper is not made from tree fiber. Plant fibers derived from hemp, kenaf, cotton, sugarcane, flax and many other easy to grow agricultural plants may be used instead of trees. Right now tree-free paper is considered the most environmentally friendly paper available.

Reduced Chemicals Mean Reduced Pollutants
Why buy recycled paper and tree-free paper? Since products made from tree-free paper can be made from other plant sources instead of trees, fewer chemical are needed to break down and separate the paper fibers from the plant. They are usually chlorine-free, and some brands are even pesticide-free. Fewer industrial chemicals mean a cleaner environment. Trees can take anywhere from seven to 20 years to grow while it only takes about 10 weeks to grow the plants needed for tree-free paper.

Why Buy Recycled paper and tree-free paper? Environmental Solutions
So when you ask, “Why buy recycled paper and tree-free paper?” One answer to consider is the fact that it significantly cuts down on the depletion of our natural resources and contributing to overfilled landfills, and environmental pollution. Buying recycled and tree-free paper is a big step in the right direction.

Kimberly Ben is a full-time freelance writer in Atlanta, Georgia currently working on GreenLine Paper. GreenLine Paper provides quality recycled and tree-free paper products while remaining dedicated to creating a greener future

Recycled Paper: Exploding the Myths Article on Recycled Paper

Recycled Paper: Exploding the Myths Paper and paper products are the largest single component of society’s waste stream. The movement to recycled paper and manufacture products is primarily an effort to reduce the amount of costly, disposable waste. When we choose to use recycled paper for our businesses and homes, we don’t have to sacrifice quality. recycled paper is readily available in many high quality grades meeting the same technical specifications as virgin (tree) paper. The quality of recycled paper has improved significantly over the years, so that it performs well in office copiers, fax machines, printers and printing machines.

The First Paper Mill in the U.S. Recycled Believe it or not, the very first paper mill originated in the U.S. colonies in 1690 close to Philadelphia, and operated as a recycling mill. The paper mill created paper from recycled cotton and rags. It wasn’t until the 1800s that papermakers learned to make paper from trees. Back then papermakers thought the resources of the forest were limitless and capable of constantly renewing itself. Today we realize that our natural resources do have limits and sustainable alternatives must be implemented to protect the world’s environment.

Just the Facts Recycled paper is widely used in products today. Newspapers, magazines, books catalogs, direct mail, tissue and towel products, packaging products and more use recycled paper. Still, there are many myths surrounding recycling and recycled paper.

Myth 1: Recycled paper doesn’t have a professional appearance. You can easily find a variety of quality and grades available. You’ll find paper made just for business cards, letterhead, and brochures, tissue and towel papers and more just as easily in recycled paper products. Recycled paper is often cost-comparative to virgin paper.

Myth 2: It doesn’t make sense to buy recycled products because they cost more. In the instances where recycled paper does cost more than virgin paper, the average cost difference is generally around 10 to 20-percent. The tremendous benefits to the environment outweigh this cost difference in the end.

Myth 3: You compromise quality when you go with recycled paper products. When recycled paper was first introduced, it was known for being discolored and uneven in texture and appearance. Today’s recycled paper products with even 100-percent post consumer content are comparable in quality to virgin paper products.

Myth 4: All paper is recycled now anyway. Actually post-consumer recycled paper comprises only about 10-percent of the printing and stationary market. 90-percent of these industries still use virgin paper.

Myth 5: The poor quality of recycled paper creates paper jams in machines. You should have no problem finding quality, recycled paper to use in printers, fax machines copiers and other equipment. Whether you are using recycled paper or virgin paper the key is to pick the right paper for the task (e.g. copier paper for the copier).

Myth 6: The fibers in recycled paper create excess dust which can damage machinery. This is not just a recycled paper issue. Whether you choose recycled paper or virgin paper, make sure to use high quality paper to reduce the incidence of dust.

Myth 7: Tree-free and chlorine-free recycled paper is the best. This is an example of misused definitions. “Tree-free” refers to an alternative fiber source such as hemp, kenaf or cotton which is used to make the paper. “Chlorine-free” refers to the bleaching process. These terms are not directly related to the recycling process. Most recycled papers however, are classified as processed chlorine-free (PCF) which makes them environmentally friendly in this additional way.

Myth 8: Burning paper for energy is much better than recycling. Paper can be recycled over and over multiple times. This saves trees, water, energy and reduces pollution, increasing the value of recycling.

Myth 9: Recycling paper damages the environment. Ultimately, recycling conserves the environment by saving trees, water and energy. However, there is a sludge produced from recycling as in virgin paper production. Most sludge tests non-toxic, but toxic sludge can be properly disposed of.

Myth 10: Buying Recycled Paper doesn’t really help the environment. This is probably the biggest myth of all. Paper that goes into landfills produces large amounts of methane gas. This contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that virgin paper decomposition in landfills is one of the biggest sources of methane. In addition the manufacture of recycled paper saves on energy, water, pollution and reduces pressures on our dwindling forests.

Kimberly Ben is a freelance writer and editor working for GreenLine Paper Company, Inc.. “Recycled Paper: Exploding the Myths” dispels myths about the use of Recycled Paper.

Recycled Paper Products – Facts about Recycling in the US

Millions of Americans recycle paper at home, work and school. This number keeps increasing as people become more aware of the importance of recycling and conservation. Recycling paper products conserves natural resources, reduces the need for land filling or incineration, saves energy and prevents pollution. According to the Paper Industry Association Council, 56% of the paper consumed is recovered for recycling. Included in this number, 48% of office paper is recovered for recycling, and 73% of newspaper is recovered. This translates to almost 360 pounds for every person in the country.

Recycled paper products include paperboard, tissue and paper towels, printing and writing paper, boxes, hydro-mulch, molded packaging, compost, kitty litter, and 1.5 million tons of construction products.

It is not just trees being saved by not using virgin wood pulp for products. The EPA states that recycling 1 ton of paper saves 1,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil, and 4,100 kilowatt hours of electricity in addition to 17 mature trees. Recycled paper generates 74% less air pollution and uses 54% less water vs. making new paper. Overall, it uses only 60% of the energy it would take to make paper from virgin wood pulp.

Recycling numbers can increase by encouraging away from home collection. The EPA has set up an initiative called Recycle on the Go as part of its Resource Conservation Challenge. Its goal is to encourage recycling in public places. Their objective is to increase the amount of paper waste collected for recycling, and promote a culture of recycling by making it convenient, available and cost effective.

Green Line Paper Company is a socially responsible company dedicated to a greener future. In addition to an extensive list of environmentally sound office products, Greenlinepaper.com is dedicated to selling only recycled and tree-free papers. To further conserve, they reuse shipping cartons and pad them with recyclable paper, never polystyrene foam. Additionally, their promotional materials are also made from post-consumer recycled or tree free fiber paper.

Green Office Supplies

Businesses are increasingly aware of the importance of using green office supplies to contribute to a more sustainable world. Many companies are “going green”. There are a myriad of methods to make your office “green”, and you don’t even have to be the boss to put some of them into effect immediately. The green office supplies for your office should be recycled, compostable, biodegradable, non-toxic, certified to be sustainable, or reusable.

No matter how “paperless” we try to be, every office uses some paper, so purchase recycled paper and envelopes, and minimize the printing out of unnecessary documents. Your office paper should be environmentally friendly and recycled, with high post- consumer waste (PCW) contents. This includes copy/laser/fax paper, letterhead and envelopes, planners, calendars, and even flip charts. The manufacturing of recycled paper reduces total energy consumption, net greenhouse emissions, particulate emissions, wastewater, solid waste, and wood use as compared to paper made from 100% virgin forest fiber.

Use refillable pens and pencils rather than disposable ones. Use Ink jet (or bubble jet) printers because they use much less energy than laser printers. Although they are slower and don’t print as high quality as laser printers, they are cheaper and cut the energy used by 75-90%. Also use recycled printer cartridges, or cartridges that can be refilled, saving you money and reusing cartridges instead of making waste.

Use biodegradable and non-toxic soaps and cleaners combined with recycled paper towels or cloth towels. Offices use millions of tons of cleaning products yearly which contain toxic chemicals that find their way into our rivers and streams. Cleaning products also represent 10 percent of the poisonings reported to Poison Centers nationally. Even the packaging of cleaning products has environmental impacts. Plastic packaging, non-refillable or un-recyclable containers are filling up our landfills. Buy office supplies in bulk so that shipping and packaging waste are reduced, and reuse the shipping boxes if at all possible.

You can find more Green Office Supplies at Greenlinepaper.com where we try to be as environmentally friendly as possible. They ship by reusing cartons and they are packed in recyclable paper or biodegradable “peanuts.” No polystyrene foam or plastics are used. Your green office supplies will be delivered to you in an environmentally friendly way!