|
Ecologically sound paper
|
Global paper demand - the single largest use of wood fibre - has increased five-fold since the 1950s, and is expected to double again over the next 50 years.1
In order to relieve pressure on the environment and reduce the amount of paper waste going to landfill, the bank aims to use increasing amounts of ecologically-sound paper.
What constitutes an ecologically-sound paper?
Controversy surrounds the relative benefits of paper that is recycled versus paper that is 'virgin', and sourced from so-called 'sustainable forests'. Using recycled paper is considered an efficient use of resources and protects old growth forests from logging. When compared with virgin paper, the use of recycled paper substantially reduces water consumption, energy use, air pollution and water pollution 2. However, advocates of sustainably-harvested virgin papers argue that as long as forests are maintained in a sustainable manner there isn't much of a problem.
While recognising that virgin pulp must enter the supply chain at some point, The Co-operative Bank strongly supports the idea of using recycled products wherever feasible. We understand that virgin materials need to be used, as fibres are shortened and weakened in every 'recycling' cycle. However, we are concerned about the validity of many of the claims made by parts of the 'sustainable forestry' industry. To some in this sector, sustainable forestry is merely a case of planting a tree for every one removed, however, this fails to maintain a mature and diverse ecosystem. In 1995, the World Wide Fund for Nature established the Forest Stewardship Council 3 (FSC), which acts as an independent assessor of good forest management. FSC certification ensures that forests of all types are managed in ways that are environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable. The FSC label is the only label / standard recognised by The Co-operative Bank.
The paper production process itself also has significant ecological impacts. As such, where feasible, all paper (whether recycled or virgin fibres) should be produced using a totally chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching process in order to minimise the amount of harmful organochlorines and related dioxins that enter the environment. This means that the manufacturing process should not include the use of chlorine gas or chlorine dioxide as bleaching agents.
For the past five years, the bank has been seeking to use the most ecologically-sound paper available for the majority of our activities. We define this as totally chlorine-free and 100% recycled (with a large proportion of post-consumer waste (PCW). Where virgin fibres are necessary it is the bank's intention to use Forest Stewardship Council certified papers.
Ecologically-sound papers currently identified by The Co-operative Bank
| Paper Name |
Known Suppliers |
Cyclus Print / Cyclus Offset
(TCF, 100% PCW recycled) |
McNaughton's Paper Group
www.jmcpaper.co.uk/mcnaughtons/index.htm
Premier Paper
www.paper.co.uk/ |
Evolve Office / Evolve Business
(TCF, 100% PCW recycled) |
Premier Paper
www.paper.co.uk
Robert Horne
www.roberthorne.co.uk/RHB/product_results.asp |
Steinbeis Vision
(TCF, 100% PCW recycled) |
John Heyer Paper Ltd
www.johnheyerpaper.co.uk/jhpstein.html |
Repeat Offset
(TCF, 100% PCW recycled) |
Robert Horne Paper
www.roberthorne.co.uk/RHP/product_results.asp
McNaughton's Paper Group
www.jmcpaper.co.uk/mcnaughtons/repeat/index.htm |
Revive Matt / Revive Gloss
(TCF, 100% recycled of which 75% PCW) |
Robert Horne Paper
www.roberthorne.co.uk/RHP/product_results.asp |
Greencoat plus Gloss/Velvet
(TCF, 80% recycled of which 60% PCW) |
Howard Smith Paper
www.hspg.com/hsp/coated_range/coated.shtml |
Sylvan Matt
(TCF, 100% PCW recycled) |
Paperback Ltd
020 8980 2233
or e-mail sales@paperback.fsbusiness.co.uk |
Corona Offset
(TCF, 100% PCW recycled) |
|
Metaphor
(TCF, 100% recycled) |
|
Context FSC
(TCF, 75% PCW recycled and
25% FSC pulp) |
|
Emerald FSC
(TCF, 75% PCW and minimum
17.5% FSC pulp) |
|
Sylvan Art Gloss/Silk
(TCF, 50% recycled) |
|
Paper Waste Disposal
The disposal of paper waste also has significant ecological impacts. During 2002, the bank recycled 657 tonnes of paper. The bank's paper recycling is undertaken by three firms, Central Recycling Group, Capital Security Shredding Ltd and the Co-operative Group. In the case of the Co-operative Group, paper is recycled into Co-op 100% recycled toilet tissue and Co-op 100% recycled kitchen towel for sale in
Co-op stores.
1 Forests for Life, 2001. World Wide Fund for Nature
2 Product Report on Paper, October/November 1997. Ethical Consumer Magazine
3 For further information on the Forest Stewardship Council, please refer to: www.fsc-uk.info
|
To follow any of the links mentioned within the Partnership Report 2002, please visit the links page.
|
|
