CFS Paper Guidelines

In order to relieve pressure on the environment and reduce the amount of paper waste going to landfill, CFS aims to use increasing amounts of ecologically-sound paper, and to recycle paper used in its business operations.

What constitutes an ecologically-sound paper?

Controversy surrounds the relative benefits of paper that is recycled versus paper that is 'virgin', and sourced from so-called 'sustainable forests'.  Using recycled paper is considered an efficient use of resources and protects old growth forests from logging.  When compared with virgin paper, the use of recycled paper substantially reduces water consumption, energy use, air pollution and water pollution.1  However, advocates of sustainably-harvested virgin papers argue that as long as forests are maintained in a sustainable manner there isn't much of a problem.

While recognising that virgin pulp must enter the supply chain at some point, CFS strongly supports the idea of using recycled products wherever feasible.  While recognising that some virgin materials need to be used, as fibres are shortened and weakened in every ‘recycling' cycle, CFS is concerned about the validity of many of the claims made by parts of the 'sustainable forestry' industry.  To some in this sector, sustainable forestry is merely a case of planting a tree for every one removed, however, this fails to maintain a mature and diverse ecosystem.  In 1995 the World Wide Fund for Nature established the Forest Stewardship Council 2 (FSC), which acts as an independent assessor of good forest management.  FSC certification ensures that forests of all types are managed in ways that are environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable.  The FSC label is the only label / standard recognised by CFS.

The paper production process itself also has significant ecological impacts.  As such, where feasible, all paper (whether recycled or virgin fibres) should be produced using a totally chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching process in order to minimise the amount of harmful organochlorines and related dioxins that may enter the environment.  This means that the manufacturing process should not include the use of chlorine gas or chlorine dioxide as bleaching agents.

In addition to minimisation and recycling activities, CFS aims to reduce the ecological impact of its paper by increasing the use of ecologically-sound paper and using the lightest weight of paper that is fit for purpose.

CFS' specification for ecologically-sound paper (in order of preference) is:

1. 100% totally chlorine-free (TCF) and 100% post consumer waste (pcw) recycled;
2. 100% TCF and 50%plus pcw recycled (with any remaining virgin fibre 100% TCF and Forestry Stewardship Certified (FSC));
3. 100% TCF and 100% FSC. As above, any virgin fibres should carry the FSC logo.

In all cases, consideration should be given to the lowest weight paper that meets requirements. e.g. magazine, 120gsm, letter 80-100gsm, leaflet 60-80gsm. This reduces the total amount of paper used, and may also reduce freight and postal charges. CFS aims to include brief description of the paper type and, if appropriate, printing process, in external mailing activities.

Ecologically-sound papers currently identified by CFS

1  Product Report on Paper, October/November 1997.  Ethical Consumer Magazine

2  For further information on the Forest Stewardship Council, please refer to: www.fsc-uk.org