Materials
The Paper Pepper use
Pepper now only uses FSC paper unless specified otherwise.
There are three types of FSC certified paper available:
FSC Mixed Sources
In 2005 the FSC introduced the Mixed Sources label.
The Mixed Sources label states that at least 50 per cent of the virgin fibre must come from FSC certified forests with the remaining percentage from controlled sources. Recycled waste can also be included up to a maximum of 90%.
Controlled sources exclude:
- illegally harvested timber
- forests where high conservation values are threatened
- genetically modified organisms
- violation of peoples’ civil and traditional rights
- wood from forests harvested for the purpose of converting the land to plantations or other non-forest use
An FSC certified paper mill must be able to prove the origins of all the fibre it uses in its FSC products.
FSC RecycledThe FSC also has also recently introduced a recycled label. To carry this label a material must be made from 100 per cent post-consumer waste and made by an certified mill.
What is recycled paper?Generally speaking, fibre for re-use is pulped, screened to remove unwanted items such as staples and adhesives, and de-inked – it may or may not then be re-bleached using hydrogen peroxide which is also used to bleach virgin fibre. The extent to which each of these processes is undertaken depends on the desired final product and the condition of the waste paper.
However, there are different definitions of ‘recycled’ within the industry – paper can be called ‘recycled’ when only a percentage of the fibre is actually recycled. There is also a big difference between post and pre-consumer recycled waste paper. Look out for the percentage of post consumer recycled waste when choosing a paper.
The quality of the original waste fibre will dictate how it is re-used – good quality white waste will be re-used in high quality recycled or part recycled papers; at the other extreme, low-grade recycled packaging will be re-used (again) for packaging materials.
Why use recycled paper?
Recycled paper is the greenest option overall – It supports UK recycling companies and provides a market for UK paper waste. Its production requires less energy and fewer chemicals. Plus, it provides a market for paper waste in the UK and encourages more recycling.
But there will always be a need for some virgin fibre – recycled fibres can only be reprocessed 6-8 times before they become too broken up to bind together.
1. Nearly 80% of the world's original old growth forests have been logged or severely degraded.
It uses less energy and creates fewer emissions than virgin paper
According to the environmental charity Waste Watch , for every tonne (about 2 pallets) of 100% post-consumer recycled paper purchased instead of virgin fibre paper, we save:
1. At least 30,000 litres of water.
2. 3000 - 4000 KWh electricity - enough power for an average 3 bedroom house for one year.
The process of felling trees, transporting them for processing, the pulping and manufacturing processes, and the distribution of the resulting paper uses a large amount of energy – mostly from fossil fuels. Recycled paper requires only a fraction of this processing.
1. 40% of the world's industrial logging goes into making paper and this is expected to reach 50% in the near future.
2. Worldwide, the pulp and paper industry is the 5th largest industrial consumer of energy. Producing recycled paper uses up to 70% less energy than virgin paper*, as well as using far less water. *Source Friends of the Earth
Nearly all virgin fibre used in the UK is imported, and some waste paper exported, so it makes sense both environmentally and economically to support home-grown paper recycling schemes.
It reduces the amount of waste paper going to landfill
In the UK it is predicted that we will run out of landfill sites during the next decade. Landfills will be replaced by incinerators whose toxic fall-out has been proven to be harmful to human health.
It is the only way to be sure that your paper hasn't had a detrimental effect on any forest environment. Only a small (although increasing) amount of the virgin fibre used in the UK is from truly well managed forests. To be absolutely sure that your paper has not had a detrimental effect on any forest environment, use 100 per cent recycled paper.100% FSC100% FSC virgin paper made by a certified mill.
The majority of our inks our vegetable based as opposed to traditional petroleum-based ink. These are much more environmentally friendly as they come froma sustainable source and produce far lower levels of VOCs, (volatile organic compounds) which helps to reduce air pollution by minimizing toxic emissions
There are 3 types of material that we offer, standard Low density polyethylene (LDPE), Degradable DEG 68 LDPE, and Compostable Potato Starch material.
Standard LDPE Mailing film is fully recyclable, but will take years to degrade.
Deg 68 ‘degradable LDPE’ has an additive which once exposed to UV light will start to degrade. Heat and moisture will increase the speed of the degradation of this product and it’s also possible to recycle. Here is the full spec sheet.
Bioplast Biodegradable/Composable product: Complies to EN 13432. Potato starch film in which the degradation results from the action of naturally-occurring micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and break down in shorter periods of time. Here is more information and here is a full spec sheet.
When degradable plastics break down into smaller molecules, eventually they will be small enough to be consumed by microorganisms and so degradation occurs. In essence then all degradable films will eventually degrade but at different speeds, but the oil based products still take years to break down in the ground. Bio potato starch film will break down in the ground between 90-180 days, and has a shelf life of 12 months+ if stored in an ambient temperature warehouse
Contact us now to find out how we can improve your green credentials today by making your print certified green.
Click here for our full Environmental Policy Statement.
