nature of paper, the

Step Inside Design, Sep/Oct 2007

SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION

Neenah Paper is adding two environmentally friendly papers to its Classic brands. Recycled Bright White and Recycled Natural White are both available as FSC-certified and Processed Chlorine Free (PCF). "Neenah is the first mill in the world to watermark the FSC symbol and chain of custody into its papers, and is the first premium paper mill to be certified PCF by the Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA)," says Meredith Christiansen, product manager for Neenah. "The papers are made without chlorine or chlorine compounds, and they can now proudly carry the PCF emblem. Third-party certifications such as those from the CFPA demonstrate that the exciting choices Neenah offers are also environmentally unsurpassed. CFPA is an unbiased organization that is forging new ground to verify high environmental standards are being met. It offers a credible way of assuring customers that Neenah has met the most rigorous standards."

This spring, Neenah also joined the Chicago Climate Exchange-the world's first voluntary, but legally binding, greenhouse-gas emissions reduction, registry and trading program. The paper house will track and report carbon dioxide emissions, and will work toward a 6-percent reduction of its baseline by 2010. "By joining the Chicago Climate Exchange's growing program, Neenah Paper not only has committed to reducing emissions but has also agreed to be both transparent and accountable in regard to our sustainable practices and targeted improvements," says Scan Erwin, chief executive officer of Neenah Paper. "Neenah Paper is committed to the responsible stewardship of the environment and resources we use to provide products to our customers. As a leader in our markets, it is important to send a message to our employees, stakeholders and customers about our commitment to the systematic reduction of our environmental footprint." Neenah Paper, www.neenah.com

A growing number of designers are turning to synthetic paper to lessen their impact on the environment. Made from the extrusion of melted plastic-like polypropylene or polyolefin resin-synthetic papers are completely inorganic. There are no ozone-threatening emissions from production, and nearly no waste by-products. Dave Jeffers, Yupo Corporation America's technical service manager, says, "Synthetic paper is 100-percent recyclable. Recycled polypropylene plastic, for example, is recovered as plastic resin and may be used in food containers, yarns and fabrics, upholstery, luggage and car seats. The recovered resin demonstrates the same performance as virgin plastics. Polyolefin can be recycled along with other plastic packaging materials and does not need to be separated."

Yupo's paper is also durable and waterproof, making it ideal for projects like the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's Beachcomber's Companion, published by Woods Hole Sea Grant. The 50 flash cards boast beautiful illustrations of marine invertebrates, as well as cool scientific facts and a reusable checklist so explorers can check off the invertebrates they meet on the beach with a wax pencil, then wash it off and reuse it for the next trip. Yupo, www.yupo.com

Environmental sustainability practices are in place at Finch Paper. All products are SFI and/or FSC certified, meaning the wood fiber comes from forests that have been independently verified as responsibly managed.

Finch Paper's own staff of foresters also manage 161,000 acres of working forestland on behalf of The Nature Conservancy. "Finch Paper's forest management philosophy is to protect the beauty and natural resources of Adirondack forests and the wide array of wildlife and plant life they sustain, while continuing to help meet society's ever-increasing demand for Finch Paper and other forest products," says Finch Paper woodlands manager Roger Dziengeleski.

For the past three years, Finch has averaged about 316 million lbs. of post-consumer fiber use per year. But the paper house says its ecological efforts don't stop with trees. At least 60 percent of Finch's energy comes from non-fossil fuel sources like hydroelectricity. And by using pollution-prevention tools like scrubbers and mist eliminators, the company is also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Finch Paper, www.finchpaper.com

Earth-friendly changes are on the way at Crane & Co. The paper house-which has made 100-percent cotton social and business stationery since 1801-is building a renewable-energy center. Located on its manufacturing campus in Dalton, Mass., the center is to consist of three alternative power sources: biodiesel production, biomass energy and hydroelectric power.

First up: The construction of a 50 million gallon-per-year biodiesel manufacturing facility, using soybean oil and animal fats from the Midwest. "In addition to producing biodiesel for commercial and residential applications, the plant will have the potential to generate between 5 and 10 megawatts of electricity," spokesperson Peter Hopkins explains. "A by-product of the manufacturing of biodiesel is glycerin, a chemical widely used in papermaking. A $3 million grant was awarded by the Massachusetts Agency of Transportation to reconnect a rail siding to accommodate incoming and outgoing shipments." Berkshire Biodiesel LLC will begin building the plant later this year or early next year.