Sustainability - FAQs

Sustainability is the ability to meet the demands of delivering products and services now, without compromising the future of our natural resources and the demands of future generations. Generally, the term sustainability relates to the integration of economic, social and environmental concerns. It requires a collective effort of individuals, organisations and governments to protect and grow our natural resources; rather than deplete or permanently damage them.

Paper is made from wood, a completely renewable resource, and is therefore inherently sustainable. For paper to be considered sustainable, it must be made from wood sourced from responsible forests; meaning managed plantations and non-old growth forests where trees are replanted after felling. The wood is then converted into pulp and eventually paper. To complete this process, paper mills need to minimise their use of energy, chemicals and water and ensure that they adopt sound practices with renewable energy policies.

Environmental sustainability is as much about energy, water and air as it is about paper fibre. The paper industry, including forestry, pulp providers, paper mills, merchants and printers are working together to reduce its total environmental impact.

Yes, paper is made from organic material ie wood, a completely renewable resource. For paper to be considered sustainable, it must be made from wood sourced from responsible forests. Today's standard in the forestry inductry is high. Managed plantations and non-old growth forests continuously replant trees after felling. As young trees grow, they produce oxygen and absorb carbon from the atmosphere. The wood waste (such as wood chips and sawdust) left behind from timber manufacturing, is converted into pulp and eventually paper (see ´How can paper be sustainable?´).

Currently, there are several reputable third-party organisations that have strict programs in place for the verification and certification of wood sources. These organisations, including Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, work with wood suppliers around the world to ensure strict guidelines are met to monitor and protect the economic, social and environmental factors surrounding the supply of wood products. Principles and guidelines are applied throughout the entire lifecycle of wood products;from plantations, to manufacturing, to end production of the product. Certifications are then given to products, including paper, that meet these requirements.

Carbon neutral is net zero carbon emissions that are balanced by offsetting the measured amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by verifiable credits (see What is a carbon footprint?).

As our everyday activities produce carbon dioxide emissions, programs and initiatives have been put in place by organisations (and individuals) to reduce, offset and manage greenhouse gases; whilst restoring natural resources. An offset is an initiative that funds equivalent carbon savings that are verifiable and traceable to ensure efficacy.

For example, in 2007 Mohawk Paper  joined the EPA Climate Leaders program that requires its members to measure the greenhouse gases they produce, and develop plans to reduce them over a five-year period. To do this, Mohawk Paper have applied practices that reduce their energy consumption, and offset them by purchasing verified emission reduction credits (VERs) that fund beneficial, emission-free energy projects such as wind farms. This results in their ability to produce carbon neutral papers, such as Expression Super Smooth, Concept Vellum, Cambric Linen and Enhance Silk stocked by K.W.Doggett Fine Paper. Since this time, we've had numerous products become carbon neutral and each paper has its own story.

Carbon neutral paper means the paper has been manufactured by a paper mill that has programs in place to measure, minimise and/or offset all of their carbon emissions to a rating of zero. K.W.Doggett Fine Paper offer a selection of carbon neutral made papers, including Expression Super Smooth, Concept Vellum, Cambric Linen, Enhance Silk, Conqueror, Kaskad, Saxton, Tablex and Impact. As an example, Impact is manufactured carbon neutral and delivered to K.W.Doggett Fine Paper warehouses nationally (see What is carbon neutral?).

Yes, for some paper products we can, but not all. Please enquire with your fine paper specialist before you purchase to determine whether that paper has a full life cycle analysis.

For further information, contact your fine paper specialist or the Victorian marketing department.

Currently, there are several reputable third-party organisations that have strict programs in place for the verification and certification of wood sources. These organisations work with wood suppliers around the world to ensure strict guidelines are met to monitor and protect the economic, social and environmental factors surrounding the supply of wood products.

These organisations, including the Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, apply these principles and guidelines throughout the entire lifecycle of wood products; from plantation, to manufacturing, to end production of the product. Certifications are then given to products, including paper, that meet these requirements.

The purpose of a Chain of Custody is to enable the end-user to trace the origins of wood products back to their original source. 

K.W.Doggett Fine Paper’s 'Responsible Forestry Practices' logo is available for use on your print job for products that meet or exceed legal requirements for wood procurement.

'Mix' or ‘Mixed Sources’ means that the wood fibre used in the papers manufacture comes from a variety of responsible sources, not just those that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. As a consumer, you can still be assured that ‘FSC Mix' products are 100% compliant with standards that ensure responsible practices are maintained throughout the pape'rs manufacture.

1. FSC Mix means that the wood has come from a combinationof FSC certified forests, FSC controlled wood or eligible recycled fibre.

2. FSC controlled wood standards require that the following sources of wood are not included in the product:

• Illegally harvested wood;
• Wood harvested that violates traditional and civil right;
• Wood harvested in forests with high conservation values (areas particularly worthy of protection;
• Wood harvested from areas where genetically modified trees are planted.
  
  

Yes, additional information about FSC may accompany the FSC logo; however this must also be approved by your certification body (CB). In referring to FSC or to FSC certified products, the preferred term is “responsible”, e.g. “responsible forestry” not “sustainable forestry”.

For assistance in writing an environmental tagline, please contact your K.W.Doggett Fine Paper specialist.

Virgin tree fibre will always be needed for paper making. Over time, paper that is continually recycled leads to a break down in the fibre it contains. This means that the fibres become too fragile to reproduce and virgin fibre must be introduced into the process, to maintain the strength and quality of the fibre.

• There is not enough recycled waste paper to meet the world’s paper demands.
• There are not enough de-inking plants around the world to satisfy the requirements. Whilst de-inking is still less energy intensive than turning virgin wood into pulp, it still requires a large chemical and energy output.

• High transportation requirements (small waste pick-ups) can lead to higher carbon emissions and higher economical costs.
• It can be difficult to trace the collected product and where it was originally made; therefore the product may not meet the paper manufacturers environmental requirements.

• Over time, paper that is continually recycled leads to a break down in the fibre it contains. This means that the fibres become too fragile to reproduce and virgin fibre must be used.
  

Australians gneerally use around 3.5 millions tonnes of paper every year. Just under half of this, around 1.6 million tonnes of waste paper, is collected each year. Roughly two-thirds of the waste paper collected is from boxes, cartons and other forms of packing paper. Almost one-third of the waste is from old newspapers alone.

Collecting this paper saves the cities and towns we live in about $80 million per year in reduced rubbish disposal costs. Like to know more? Visit the Packaging Council of Australia website.

These days, you should expect similar results from recycled papers as you do from virgin fibre papers. This is because many of the recycled paper manufacturers now offer bright white, clean papers. Traditionally, recycled ‘looking’ grades are also still available. Which one you choose simply depends on the look you prefer for your job.

Uncoated papers
100% post consumer waste recycled papers generally have a subtle vellum/offset finish, rather than a super smooth finish eg. Impact, Envirocare 100% Recycled and Conqueror 100% Recycled. Papers that are made with a combination of both recycled and virgin pulp are available in a range of finishes eg. Expression Super Smooth, Cambric Linen, and Keaykolour Recycled.

Coated papers
Coated papers made from recycled content are identical to their virgin fibre counterparts eg. Maine Recycled Gloss A2+ and Maine Recycled Silk A2+.