Eco paper a reality at last

As concerns about the economic impact of climate change grows, more and more businesses and individuals are getting the environmental message at last!  Every action in our lives can stand scrutiny from an environmental perspective.

Every aspect of our ‘communications’ industry can contribute to reversing the trend. A sustainable business practice means using raw materials, water and energy more effectively and cutting down on waste whenever possible.

Progress has been made in the communication industry. Over the last 20 years:

• chlorine has virtually been eliminated in paper production,
• all heavy metals have been eliminated from inks,
• all hydrocarbon solvents have been removed from press room chemistry,
• printing presses are 60% more energy efficient and
• the use of toxic chemicals and bichromates in film-based plate making has ceased.

But it’s not enough. Sustainable, recyclable, low carbon footprint and environmentally friendly are all words used daily, often the user does not ‘walk the talk’.

In the paper industry the increased awareness of the green credentials of every paper available has become of paramount importance. And now comes the good news:

Trend White: 100% recycled paper

Papersmith & Son is now making it possible for you and I to use 100% recycled copier paper in our homes and offices. ‘Trend White, the first and ONLY 100% recycled (post consumer waste) copier paper in South Africa has an environmental footprint that’s only 60% that of conventional copier paper.

With every 500 sheets of Trend White paper used, you save the following in comparison with virgin paper:

Trend White scored an impressive 94 points on WWF’s Check Your Paper Scorecard this year. It also boasts various other environmental endorsements, including Greenpeace.

By using Trend White, it shows your staff, customers and stakeholders that you as a company have identified the concerns for the environment, as your very own. At the Green Times we certainly know what we will be using from now on. How wonderful that one doesn’t need to feel bad each time we send something to print.

Pricing for Trend White is as follows:

• 10 – 40 boxes R 175 ex vat (per box)
• 41 – 80 boxes R 170 ex vat (per box)
• 81 – 120 boxes R 165 ex vat (per box)
• 121 – 240 boxes R 160 ex vat (per box)

*Note: this pricing is valid for Johannesburg only; click here to request pricing for Durban or Cape Town

Obviously this paper should be recycled again and again. Even the packaging is environmentally friendly. Where does this come from? Trend White is imported from a super eco mill in Germany, called Steinbies. If your German is up to scratch, you can read more about  them here.

Many readers are now going to say imported paper has that added footprint. True, but whilst we don’t have a local equivalent, and there are serious environmental issues in the local paper, this is the best route for now. Papersmith & Son offers a wide range of papers which have environmental accreditation and carry a recognised logo or certification from the supplying mills.