what makes better paper better
TRANSCRIPT
What Makes Better Paper Better?
Frank Locantore, DirectorJoshua Martin, Director
Webinar Objectives
• Environmental paper attributes• Environmental community consensus• Tools for guidance• Priorities• Action stages
EPN & Green America
• NGOs convened to create the “Common Vision”
• Environmental Paper Network was an outgrowth
• Joshua Martin was hired as the first staff of the EPN in 2005
Network Foundation
Vision
Coordination
Monitoring
Network Collaboration
www.shrinkpaper.org
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guidance• The Paper Steps• Model Policy• Model Letter to Suppliers• Model Environmental Specifications• People Who Can Help You Succeed• Ways to Save Paper and Save Money• Paper Recycling Guide• Paper Myths and Facts• Additional Links and Resources
What the Paper Steps are Not
• Perfect for every situation nor exhaustive for any
• A substitute for using the full toolkit, seeking expert advice, and developing your own questions according to your specifications and constraints
• An audited labeling or certification system
What’s the Next “Step”
• Continually add new website content to show growing environmental paper marketplace
• Adding “top criteria” this summer• Highlighting research and corporate
leadership on manufacturing of low carbon papers
• Telling the story of your leadership
Better Paper is Better, not Perfect
• Differentiate: possible today vs. the future• Choose what is better in today’s context• Demonstrate intent for improvement• Find tools & resources & NGOs to help
Key Considerations
• Big impacts, fewer impacts, or “healing?”• Use less fiber• Use more recycled• Use FSC-certification for virgin fiber • Drive innovation to wise alternative fiber use• Require clean production
Printing: Inks and Coatings
• Inks– Petroleum vs. Vegetable
• Coatings– UV– Varnish– Aqueous
• Specify intent through policy
Action Stages
1. Stewardship policy • www.environmentalpaper.org or www.BetterPaper.org
2. Determine entry point• Less fiber, more recycled, or FSC?
3. Implement through procurement4. Assess impact 5. Improve over time6. Repeat
Conclusion
• Aspire to the “perfect” paper – implement better paper choices
• Work with NGOs & supply chain; utilize tools & policies to guide decisions
What Makes Better Paper Better?
Joshua Martin, [email protected]
828-251-8558www.EnvironmentalPaper.org
Frank Locantore, [email protected]
202-872-5308www.BetterPaper.org