Eco Glossary for Sustainable Printing

In the world of eco-friendly printing there are a lot of different certifications to look out for, so here is our guide and glossary to eco terms and phrases you should know when opting for sustainable printing solutions.  

• 100% recycled - 100% post-consumer recycled paper that is made from paper scrap that can no longer be used for its intended purpose by the consumer, which is reprocessed into paper again. 
• Acid Free - No free acids are present due to care taken in the manufacturing of the pulp to eliminate any active acid. Only uses alkaline additives. Also known as archival paper, can be used for wrapping or storing jewellery, china, silver or photographs. 
• Carbon footprint - Carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (Co2) associated with all activities of a person, business, building ect. A company’s carbon footprint, also known as corporate footprint (CCF) is the total amount of GHG (greenhouse emissions) that are caused by a company's activities. It also includes direct emissions, such as from fossil fuels, heating and transportation, as well as emissions produced from electricity.  
• Carbon neutral - Carbon Neutral refers to zero carbon emissions, balanced by counteracting the measured amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by verifiable carbon credits. Everyday activities also produce carbon dioxide emissions, so programs have been put in place to reduce and manage greenhouse gases, whilst restoring natural resources. Certified carbon neutral papers have been manufactured and transported by a mill that has measured their entire carbon footprint. The carbon neutral logo and accreditation applies to paper that has had its carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions calculated; reduced where possible and ‘offset’ through credits that fund renewable emission free energy products.  
• Chain of Custody (COC) - The path that goods (raw materials and products) take from the forest to the consumer, including all stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution. A COC certification is a voluntary process that ensures wood or wood-based products (such as paper and packaging) are from certified forests.  
• EMAS - The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a premium management instrument developed by the European Commission for companies and other organisations to evaluate, report and improve their environmental performance. 
• EU Flower - EU Ecolabel or EU Flower is a voluntary ecolabel scheme. This standard reviews the total manufacturing process of a product and seeks continuous improvement where the product has the highest environmental impact in aspects such as energy efficiency, waste reduction and pollution control. 
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) - The Forest Stewardship council (FSC) is an independent, non-for profit, membership- based organisation founded in 1993. The FSC develops standards for responsible forestry management through a process of consultation. FSC works to promote responsible forestry, conserve biological diversity and protect old growth forests through:   
  • Setting FSC international standards of responsible forest management and practices.  
  • Recognising organisations that support the growth of responsible forest management.  
  • Marketing programs and information services that contribute to the mission of promoting sustainable forestry worldwide.  
  • FSC Recycled- FSC recycled stocks are both FSC certified and made from 100 per cent recycled materials. An FSC Certified – Recycled label means the wood or paper in the product comes from reclaimed (re-used) material so the product is manufactured with 100% post-consumer recycled fibre.  
• FSC Mix - The product is made with a mixture of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials, and/or FSC-controlled wood. While controlled wood doesn’t come from FSC-certified forests, it mitigates the risk of the material originating from unacceptable sources. n FSC mix label means at least 70 per cent of the wood in a product comes from FSC certified or recycled material; while 30 per cent is made of controlled wood. 
• Elemental Chlorine free - Paper that is made without the use of elemental chlorine. ECF pulp is produced with a bleaching alternative that serves to reduce harmful by-products. 
• Green Seal Certified - Green Seal is a global nonprofit organization that pioneered the ecolabeling movement with a mission to transform the economy for a healthier, greener world. Upholding high standards for health, sustainability and product performance, the Green Seal certification mark is a universal symbol that a product or service meets the highest benchmark of health and environmental leadership. 
• ISO certifications - ISO certifications are seals of approval from a third-party body that a company runs to one of the international standards developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The ISO are an independent, non-governmental international organization who brings together experts to share knowledge and develop international standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.  
• ISO 14001 EMS – Environmental Management Systems- Paper is manufactured by a mill that is accredited with ISO 14001, the international standard for organising and achieving continual improvement in environmental management systems. This standard reviews the total manufacturing process and seeks continuous improvement in aspects such as energy efficiency, waste reduction and pollution control. 
• ISO 9706 Longlife - Papers displaying this symbol are guaranteed by international standards to last up to 100 years. 
• Latex ink- Designed to ensure a safe operating environment with no unpleasant ink odor, latex inks do not contain chemicals making them safer to use.    
• PEFC Certified - The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation certification system dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. PEFC ensures that at least 70% of wood fibre is from PEFC-certified forests and meets or exceeds PEFC’s Sustainability Benchmark requirements.  
• PH Nuetral - The pH scale measures the level of acidity of a substance. 
• Process Chlorine free- Made from post-consumer recycled fibre and processed without the use of any additional chlorine or chlorine compounds. 
• Recycled - Paper made up of recycled fibres which have been extracted from existing paper products, to be used in the manufacture of further paper products. Recycled paper can be 100% recycled or consist of a mixture of pre- and post-consumer waste along with some virgin fibre to add strength. 
• Responsible Forestry Practices - Fibre used in the production of paper that shows this symbol is sourced from pulp suppliers who practice responsible forestry techniques and/or use paper from managed plantation forests. 
• Totally Chlorine Free - No chlorine or chlorine bi-products are used in the bleaching process. TCF cannot apply to recycled papers, because the source fibre cannot be determined.