Problem

Over the last decade or so eco-friendly paper has become one of the United Nations' 100 most sustainable industries. As more and more consumers are looking for environmentally friendly paper, manufacturers are doing their best to satisfy our demand.

One of the main factors to make this happen has definitely been the introduction of the Forestry and Paper Accreditation Scheme. In order to improve forest sustainability and help minimise the impact of environmental damages, the scheme has helped to transform the paper manufacturing industry for good.

How eco-friendly paper is accredited:

The main accreditation systems for eco-friendly paper are based on using fibre from FSC rated sources in the paper manufacturing process. The following systems are globally recognised to rate eco productions:

• FSC: Forest Stewardship Council - This system promotes responsible stewardship of the world's forest.

• Chain of Custody: This scheme covers all wood processes starting in the forest and going all the way to the consumer.

• PEFC: Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.

• ISO14001: An international management system for the environment.

• EMAS : Eco Management and Audit System. Provides regulations for the European Council.

Where to buy eco-friendly paper to go green:

If you want to go green a good start is by sourcing environmentally friendly paper and minimising printing. Despite an age where technology is part of our lives we still waste millions of trees by printing stuff we shouldn't. A combination of becoming more aware of the real needs to print on paper and using paper made from accredited sources will help you to go green.

Many Australian companies have recognised our increasing need to use recycled paper to keep up with the demand and three of them have stood out with the quality of their fibrous creations. These companies are:

1. RaleighPaper

2. Dalton Paper

3. Spicers Paper

Each company offers consumers FSC accredited paper that is good for the environment. You can also order samples from them to test the quality of the paper before you commit to buy.

When buying eco-friendly paper look for 100% post consumer rating or as close to the mark as possible.

The traps of falsified recycled paper claims:

It is important to note that when you find recycled paper in a shop it doesn't necessary relate to being environmentally friendly. Here is why:

• If the main ratio of the paper is sourced from native forest fibre it isn't really eco-friendly.

• Some forest plantations use chemicals, pollute soil and water streams and engage in genetic engineering in order to manufacture.

• Beware of human rights abuse from countries such as South America and Asia.

• Don't buy paper that has been chlorine bleached.

The importance of caring for the environment:

We can all help to sustain our planet and since most of us use paper every day, why not start by buying eco-friendly paper that has the right accreditation. You might have to pay a little more for a quality product but it is worth the expense to help create a better future for our children, don't you think?

Eco-friendly paper is a status symbol for proud office geeks:

If you pride yourself to appreciate paper with the utmost respect, then eco-friendly paper is the 'geeky' tool for your office. Make a statement with the most attractive stationary and letter heads with the help of environmentally friendly fibre products.

I am a very creative person and one of my future projects is to design and make my own recycled Moleskine-style notebooks. All I need to get creative is a needle, some hemp thread to sow the sleeves of the signatures and instructions to do Coptic stitch binding. I intend to use eco-friendly paper and recycled home-made paper for this project.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, membership based, non-profit organisation founded in 1993 by environmentalists, social interest groups, indigenous peoples' organisations, responsible retailers and leading forest management companies to develop standards based on the ‘10 Principles for Forest Stewardship' by which responsible forest practice can be measured.

ISO14001 is the standard for Environmental Management Systems.