Environmental Terminology

Alternative Fibre
This is paper made from fibre from wood alternatives like cotton, bagasse, seaweed and hemp. The look and print performance of this is largely indistinguishable from traditional wood-based stock.

Carbon Neutral
Carbon Neutral describes products, operations and activities which have had their greenhouse gas emissions measured, calculated and then 'offset' through the purchase of Carbon Credits. Carbon Neutral products, operations and activities should be certified by an indipentant organisation. 

Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF)
Paper pulp that is whitened, or bleached, using a derivative of Chlorine that does not release harmful dioxins into the environment. Dioxins have proven to be carcinogenic and now studies have shown that mills using ECF bleaching have eliminated dioxins completely from mill effluent. (i.e they are undetectable)

EMAS
The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, EMAS, is the European Commission’s environmental policy tool for European Union organisations to ensure sustainable development. It has been operating since April 1995, and aims to promote continuous evaluation and improvements in the environmental performance of participating organisations.

Environmental Management System (EMS)
An EMS is a systematic approach to address businesses’ environmental issues and covers all facets of their operations. It allocates resources and assigns responsibilities and provides for the continual evaluation of practices, procedures and processes.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international network promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. The principles for management of FSC certified forests are used to verify the management of forest holdings and are a system of tracing, verifying and labelling timber and wood products.

ISO 14001
The International Standardisation Organisation (ISO) developed ISO 14001 as a global environmental management system to assist an organisation to achieve its environmental goals. It guides planning, implementation and operation, checking and corrective action, and management review processes.

Old Growth Forest
Ecologically mature forest subjected to very little, if any, unnatural disturbance such as timber harvesting, roading and clearing, or bush fire.

Plantations / Tree Farms
Areas of intensively managed trees of either native or exotic species which are created by the regular placement of seedlings or seed specifically for timber and/or fibre production.

Process Chlorine Free (PCF)
Similar to TCF and occasionally referred to as Secondary Chlorine Free (SCF) papers, refers to recycled fibre that has not been re-bleached with any Chlorine based bleach.

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC)
The PEFC council is an indepentent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation, founded in 1999 which promotes sustainably managed forests through independent thrid party certification. The PEFC provides an assurance mechanism to purchasers of wood and paper products that they are promoting the sustainable management of forests.

Recyclable
If an item is recyclable it means that it can be turned into something else once its original purpose has been fulfilled. There are many items that are recyclable, from paper and cardboard packaging that can be pulped and turned into new paper products, through to synthetics within the Dalton range. Grades such as Yupo™ and Corflute™ which are manufacture using Polypropylene can be collected and recycled into products like wheelie bins, pots for plant, pipes and even worm farms!

Recycled Fibre
Paper and board that has been collected for re-use as raw fibre material in paper and board manufacture.

Renewable Energy
Energy sources that can quickly be replaced such as water, sun, wind, geothermal and biomass. Non-renewable energy sources consume carbon or nuclear-based fuels.

Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.

Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
The integration of commercial and non-commercial values of forests so that the welfare of society is improved. This ensures that the value of forests, both as a commercial resource and for conservation purposes, are not lost or degraded for current and future generations.

Totally Chlorine Free (TCF)
Paper pulp that is whitened, or bleached, using systems other than Chlorine. Alternative bleaching agents include Hydrogen Peroxide and Ozone. The term TCF cannot be associated with recycled papers because it is impossible to know if the fibre was originally whitened using a Chlorine based system