Thinking about sustainable design again and decisions to be made when selecting paper. Below are some of my favorite examples from AIGA’s Center for Sustainable Design. These are things I consider for every project.
DEFINITIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Carbon Offsetting
The act of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions by funding projects that reduce their impact, such as sustainable power generation, changes in land use and forestry.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
An international organization that has developed standards emphasizing environmentally- and socially-responsible criteria to certify and label wood products from well-managed forests.
Post-Consumer Waste (PCW)
Waste collected after the consumer has used and disposed of it.
Processed Chlorine Free (PCF)
Paper is made from fiber recycled from post-consumer waste (PCW) and unbleached or bleached without Chlorine compounds. PCF paper is the most environmentally friendly type.
SUSTAINABLE PAPER CHOICES
When selecting paper, keep in mind that sustainability is not simply a matter of maximizing recycled content. Energy used in manufacture and transport, chlorine content and other chemical content, sustainable forestry, and other factors should be considered.
Proximity of the mill to the printer should also be considered, however this is a serious challenge when living in Alaska. A recycled paper shipped across the ocean or flown across the country is less sustainable than a sustainably harvested virgin-fiber paper that has to travel only a few miles. What to do about this, I’m not sure…?
Domtar
Domtar EarthChoice is a complete and innovative line of socially and environmentally responsible papers that includes paper for a variety of end uses. EarthChoice products are certified to FSC standards, publicly endorsed by Rainforest Alliance and supported by WWF-Canada.
Mohawk
The Beckett Expression and Concept lines are FSC certified, as are some Options, Via and Strathmore grades. Options, Via and Strathmore include 100% PCW papers. All papers are process chlorine-free and/or elemental chlorine-free. Mohawk uses 60% windpower, and Beckett Expressions and Concept and Strathmore are carbon offset.
Neenah
Neenah Environment, Classic Crest, Classic Linen, Classic Laid, Classic Columns and Classic Cotton are FSC certified and Green Seal certified. All but Classic Cotton are chlorine-free certified and are available 100% PCW. Environment, Classic Crest, Starwhite and certain grades of Eames are Green-e certified for renewable energy. Some Environment grades use alternative fibers.
