NewPage – the Mead, Westvaco, Consolidated, Stora Enso roll-up – is the largest provider of coated paper in the US. I had a short, but intense conversation with Michelle Garrett in the NewPage booth. We talked recycled paper, chlorine, and all about Ed!
Ed Lives Here
Ed is NewPage's "go to" guy for all kinds of information about design, paper, and printing. The latest addition to the educational series is #13, Balance, which focuses on balance in the ways we communicate. Balance between media channels, balance between profit and sustainability. Visit EdLivesHere.com to learn more about the series and request your copy.
Recycling
Recycled content, particularly recycled post consumer waste (PCW) content, has become the benchmark measure of sustainability of paper products for some print buyers, however PCW and high-end coated papers are not good bedfellows. PCW is made up of shorter, weaker fibers so do not have the tensile strength needed for long runs of glossy magazines and catalogs. And the chemistry of the fibers may prevent the coating of latex and starch from adhering properly. NewPage's "Arbor" label indicates papers containing 30% PCW.
Why is paper with recycled content more expensive? It pretty much comes down to cost – de-inked recycled pulp simply costs more to source.
The Chlorine Issue
NewPage pulps their own virgin and recycled content. There are actually three kinds of pulp in their system: chemical pulp (also called Kraft), mechanical pulp, and de-inked recycled pulp; each of which is whitened in a different way. Chemical pulp is bleached using an Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF) process, mechanical pulp is whitened using the Total Chlorine-Free (TCF) method, and recycled content is bleached using a Process Chlorine-Free (PCF) method.
The Lacey Act
Way back at the turn of the last century – in 1900 – President William McKinley enacted the Lacey Act to prevent trafficking in illegal wildlife, fish or plants and products made of them to control exploitation of protected wildlife.
In May 2008, the law was expanded to cover a broader range of plants including illegally sourced lumber, furniture, pulp, and paper.
The Act is extremely broad and covers the entire supply chain from growers to paper manufacturers, printers and end users. Before you get nervous, the best thing you can do is know and understand the sources of the paper you buy, that there is documented assurance that potentially illegal wood products are not being received and used.
Why Print is Green
In the NewPage booth, I also picked up a copy of Why Print is Green, the new Print Council brochure. The ten reasons why print is green included in the piece are:
- We consider the source.
- We're mad for recycling.
- We work well with others.
- We're green by design.
- We care about the climate and forests.
- We clean up after ourselves.
- We're picky about our power.
- We're community oriented.
- We compare well to others.
- We help preserve natural ressources.
The brochure was printed on NewPage's Arbor Plus™ which is FSC, SFI, and PEFC Chain of Custody certified and contains 30% post-consumer recycled fiber.
