?The main environmental concerns around paper manufacturer:

• the source of the raw fibre
• the chemicals used in the manufacturing process
• the dyes and inks used for printing.

Often what is referred to as recycled paper is made from pre-consumer waste. This is waste product from paper mills, printers off-cuts or seconds materials.  Using this waste does save it from being sent to landfill but the original source may have been from old growth forests or native forests.  So to support a true recycling industry it is recommended to avoid pre-consumer waste paper.

What is the best paper?

• Paper with the highest post-consumer waste content
• Paper made by non chlorine bleaching methods eg PCF, TCF, ECF
• Plantation sourced wood pulp with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification
• Paper mill with extensive Environmental Management System and ISO14001 certification
• Preferably produced in Australia or locally.

Our Charter:
Amazing Alternatives sources post-consumer recycled paper and where possible vegetable based inks are used.  Products recommended include greeting cards, wrapping paper, envelopes, paper made from post-consumer waste.

Where does your paper come from?

Australia's largest paper producer Paperlinx/Amcor who sell the well known Reflex brand, has recently been known to use native forests and their "recycled" brands often source their materials from pre-consumer waste.

Other commonly found paper products are:

• Newsprint – usually made from recycled paper.
• Glossy advertising junk mail catalogues – cheap art paper made in South East Asia from rainforest sourced pulp.
• Photocopy, printer, household bills, newsletters – are more likely produced from old growth forests of East Gippsland, the Central Highlands of Victoria or Tasmania.

Paper made from 100% post-consumer waste, where it has been used at least once is the past is the only paper that can be labelled as genuinely recycled.

What chemicals are used in the manufacturing process.

Wood pulp is bleached to improve the whiteness and brightness of the paper produced by reducing and removing lignin and resin and to clean and sterilise the pulp.

Recycled paper is also bleached to remove ink and other impurities.

In the past toxic chemicals were used for bleaching and often where released into the environment as effluent.  Paper mills have developed methods of bleaching that reduce the quantities of chemicals used and the level of toxic chemicals dioxins produced.  Some mills have also implemented "no effluent" methods greatly benefiting the environment.

Have a look at the glossary for definitions of the various bleaching methods.

Having trouble finding the paper you want?

If there is a particular paper you would like to purchase send an email to shop@amazingalternatives.com.au with the details and the quantity you would like.  We can then advise you of its availability and price.

What goes on the paper?

Traditional printing inks vary considerably and may contain petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals and alcohol based solvents.  All these toxins impact on the environment and the health of the people exposed to the printed material.  These mineral based inks are in use for a large portion of printed materials.

Home office printers at this stage don't offer vegetable based inks.  Of course printer cartridges can be refilled and reused.  Be careful to check when you are looking to buy a printer that the printer cartridges allow refilling.

Ask your printer what type of inks they use.  Some specialist printers will use vegetable or soya based inks which are also alcohol and chemical free.  You may have to pay a little bit more for these inks but charges will depend on the printer's equipment setup.  If the printer has the appropriate equipment to facilitate printing on recycled paper and use vegetable inks then you will find their pricing competitive.

Email us at shop@amazingalternatives.com.au for details of printers offering professional printing with recycled papers and vegetable inks.

Glossary of terms

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When international research found that replacing chlorine with chlorine dioxide in the first stage of chemical pulp bleaching virtually eliminates formation of toxic chemicals, dioxin and furan, a number of mills began implementing ECF bleaching technology.

As much of Australian paper production is conducted by Paperlinx/Australian Paper using virgin fibres drawn from forests, they do adopt Totally Chlorine-Free bleaching processes.

Sources of information and references:

Pulp Bleaching at Stora Enso, European Paper Manufacturer, www.storaenso.com
"Facts about Paper", www.paperlinx,com.au, Paperlinx/Australian Paper, Mt Waverly Victoria.
"Know your Paper", www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/spd_ob_kypguide.pdf, Dept of Environment and Conservation NSW.
Black Rainbow Printers, www.blackrainbow.com.au.
Finsbury Green Printing, www.finsbury.com.au.
Australian Paper Watch, Conservation Group, www.australianpaper.forests.org.au.