• De-inking

    The process by which ink is lifted off used paper and is broken down into fibers to be recycled into new paper.

  • Elemental Chlorine Free (EFC)

    Paper made from virgin or recycled fiber that is bleached using alternative chlorine compounds as a substitute for elemental chlorine.  This reduces harmful by-products.

  • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (www.fsc.org)

    An international non-profit agency that certifies sustainable forestry practices. Ensure that forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable way.
      FSC Mixed: any combination of FSC certified material and recycled material.
      FSC Pure: 100% FSC certified material
      FSC Recycled: product groups that are 100% post-consumer waste that is made in an FSC certified location

  • Green Seal (www.greenseal.org)

    Independent, non-profit organization that does product evaluations based on “science-based environmental certification standards”.

  • Post-consumer fiber

    Defined as material that is collected from end-users and recycled. Post consumer fiber is the preferred form of recycled material because it reduces pressure on our remaining forests, saves water and energy, and diverts solid waste from our landfills.

  • Post-consumer waste (PCW)

    Material collected mainly from municipal and office recycling programs- not directly from forests. By using paper with a high percentage of post-consumer fiber, you can reduce the demand for virgin pulp and thus reduce pressure on forest ecosystems.

  • Pre-consumer waste Material

    collected before it reaches the end user and is mainly from paper manufacturers, printers and converters.

  • Process Chlorine Free (PCF)

    Paper made with fiber recycled from post-consumer waste and unbleached or bleached without chlorine compounds.  PCF paper is generally considered the most environment-friendly.

  • Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)

    A set of guidelines developed by the American Forest and Pulp Association to promote responsible forest management practices.

  • Totally Chlorine Free (TCF)

    Paper made from 100% virgin fiber (including alternative fiber from sources other than trees) that is unbleached or bleached with non-chlorine compounds.  TCF cannot apply to recycled papers because the fiber source cannot be determined.

  • Virgin paper

    Produced solely from trees and tree parts that were harvested in order to make or paper.

  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s)

    Gases released during the printing process through inks and other chemicals which contribute to ozone depletion

  • SmartWood (www.smartwood.org)

    Independent auditing, certification and promotion of FSC-certified forest products to improve forest management by providing economic incentives to businesses that practice responsible forestry.

  • Green-e

    is the nation's leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy products and purchases. The Green-e logo is a nationally recognized symbol to help consumers identify superior, certified renewable energy products.