Seeing green through the trees

Assessing the overall environmental characteristics of select paper lines is a difficult task.  There are an infinite number of variables to consider ranging from fibre harvest methods, pulping and bleaching processes to chemical, energy, and water requirements at every stage of manufacture as well as other issues including economic and social aspects.

EnviroAssist has come up with a range of paper stocks that are readily available here in Australia that adhere to the following guidelines.

• Preference to post-consumer recycled content paper products that are processed chlorine free (PCF), TCF and ECF.
• Preference to Forest Stewardship Council certified paper products.
• Seek to develop the market of products with Chain of Custody certification.
• Purchase paper stocks that come from companies who have a minimum of ISO14001 accreditation.
• Preference given to companies who are EMAS accredited.
• Seek and promote the purchase of Australian made paper products, where they fulfil these guidelines and offer reasonable transparency, accountability and reporting levels, comparable to those available from international markets as well as offering value for money.
• Consider the use of alternative crops for paper if proven through EMS that it is environmentally preferable to other virgin fibre sources and offer value for money.
  

Other criteria is covered in the section Business Values. We encourage all who are actively pursuing a green paper supply chain to complete the Business Values Matrix, to get a clear indication of your corporate values and objectives.