FSC Vs Recycled Paper – The benefits for your business

FSC vs Recycled Paper VS. FSC is the Which Superhero? Recycling paper has become more efficient and effective over the last decade and since the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was established in 1994, there are now significant ethical benefits to virgin paper sources. So what are the benefits of FSC Certified Virgin paper Versus Recycled Paper during their life cycle? FSC RECYCLED Forest Stewardship Council Forest The FSC Certification means forests are managed with the long-term view, looking after local people and protecting wildlife. FSC Collection 81% of paper in the UK is recovered for recycling. This saves it from clogging up the landfill while saving on more tress being cut down. Chipping Trees are stripped of bark and chipped to make pulping easier. The bark can be sold for a variety of uses so nothing is wasted... ESC Sorting Some paper is not appropriate for recycling and different types are better for certain uses. It takes time but ensures mills get the right paper. Chemical Pulping The chips need to be cooked to remove the Lignin but all the waste is used to fuel the process, making it self-sufficient. V FSC Re-Pulping Recycled paper is soaked to separate the fibres. Mechanical Pulping Chips then need grinding to make the fine fibre for high-grade paper.. ES De-inking The ink and adhesives float to the surface as the pulp sinks, the more ink removed, the better the finished paper will be. Ink Ink Ink Ink Processing at the mill. Both paper types follow the same production process. The pulp is cleaned and whitened. The pulp is then draining, pressed and dried before polishing at the calendaring stage. The finish will depend on the paper type but there is little visual difference between the two sources at the higher end. Energy Usage Comparison The process of paper production does impact on the environment, these four measures show the difference between 100% virgin and 100% recycledpaper types. Based on 11Tonnes of Standard Uncoated paper FSC 19218 Lbs 11708 Lbs 116349 Gallons 228535 Gallons I FSC Water Consumption On average, 85% of water is reused. Solid Waste 56012 Lbs 56012 Lbs 35327 Lbs 35327 Lbs CO, Emissions Greenhouse Gases Price Comparison The all important question, what's the price difference between the two paper types? 100% RECYCLED 50-80% RECYCLED FSC + 10% + 25% Summary If you are looking for an ethical paper source, there are clear benefits to both virgin paper and recycled stocks, for the environment and for the community. But is it worth paying up to 25% more for 100% recycled paper or using FSC certified paper and ensuring you recycle your waste? Data Sources: www.carbontrust.com/resources/reports/technology/industrial-energy-efficiency/ www.paper.org.uk/mythsandfacts/myth2.html www.fsc-uk.org/become-certified.10.htm www.papercalculator.org. Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Poper Network Paper Calculator Version 3.2. This infographic has been created by: PRINT-PRINT