Environmental Guide

The term ‘environmentally friendly’ can mean different things to different people.

Some things to consider are:

• Has the paper manufacturer got a good environmental record?
• Does the company have ISO 14001 international environmental management standard? - it’s like the ABTA of paper making - don’t fly without it!
• Where does the company source its raw materials from? Look for a paper company that regularly checks pulp supplier policies on forest management, bio-diversity and their impact on the local environment. Forest Stewardship Council certification guarantees that the company can source and use raw materials from well managed forests.
• Does the paper manufacturer adhere to set targets on emissions, optimise chemical usage and have a waste recycling programme?
• Is there effluent treatment on site?
• If the company has a dedicated environmental spokesperson - that’s great, it shows that operating responsibly is key to their business.

Papers produced by companies like Curtis Fine Papers who meet the above criteria, could all be described as “environmentally friendly”.

This may be enough for some people, but you may wish to address more specific environmental issues:

• If landfill fills you with concern, choose a recycled paper. The more fibres we keep in the system, the less we send to landfill.
• If you’re concerned about chlorine bleaching in pulp mills, then choose papers made from ECF (elemental chlorine free) or TCF (totally chlorine free) pulps. Both these methods have been proven to reduce the occurrence of harmful substances in pulp mill effluent.
• If you opt for a virgin fibre paper make sure that the pulp is sourced from managed forests - FSC certification guarantees that timber has been forested responsibly - or alternative fibre papers, such as straw, cotton or hemp.

Curtis Fine Papers makes papers to suit a range of environmental criteria, either on a bespoke basis or from stock.

Bespoke Papers

Stock ranges

Environmental statements

Depending on the paper you choose, you can use or adapt one of the following statements:

This report is printed on paper made by an ISO 14001 certified company. This international standard guarantees that an environmental management system is in operation at the mill.

This report is printed on paper made with 100% totally chlorine free pulps by an ISO 14001 certified company. Chlorine free pulps have been proven to reduce the occurrence of harmful substances in pulp mill effluents.

This report is printed on paper made with FSC approved pulps by an ISO 14001 certified company. Forest Stewardship Council approved pulps are sourced from forests that operate within strict FSC environmental guidelines.