Paper.com opens Environmentally Friendly ‘Green’ Store

One of the paper industrys' largest web marketing companiy outlined several steps for its end users to become eco-conscious and create cost effective printed material. The company believes that orders recycled papers and creates promotions that are good for the environment are also good for business. Sincere goodwill goes a long way and everyone is very interested in protecting the environment. Green minded end users and projects should plan beyond just using recycled paper. Virgin, recycled, and tree free paper are all very different papers. Virgin fibers are directly from trees, they are the cleanest and strongest, but have the most direct effect on the consumption of natural resources. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI), and Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) traces paper components to its origins via third party certification. This assures end users that papers are from appropriate trees and forests and no old growth forests were used. Recycled papers account for approximately 37% of all the raw material used in domestic products. Recycled papers benefit include less energy consumed, lower green house emissions, reduced wastewater and less solid waste. Post consumer waste (PCW) is total recycled fiber and tree free is generally hand made – produced from kenaf, hemp, flax, cotton, or a combination.
Other environmentally friendly initiatives include using uncoated paper instead of coated papers. Coated, or glossy, has clay content, which is not good for recycling. Also, if you design a piece that is smaller in size – this uses less paper, chemicals, and ink, which are all better for the environment. Choice in inks is also important – soy or vegetable based versus the more popular Petroleum based is an excellent alternative. Lastly, noncomplex design and folding generates a more efficient product and thus less waste.
Paper.com can certainly assist with recycled and tree free papers – but consideration should also be considered for other environmentally friendly ideas.