We all use technology today and eventually we all need to print some information out to physically have in our hands. Unfortunately, the process of manufacturing computer paper is detrimental to our environment, both land and sea. The pulp, paper, and paper product industry is one of the largest and most damaging industries to the environment worldwide. It is the third most environmentally polluting industry in North America!

WE can all make a difference and become a greater solution to this problem. By consuming consciously we can make a choice to buy “Ocean Friendly” paper. This basically means the paper production does not harm the environment or our ocean.

When shopping for paper, look for the following characteristics:

1) 90-100% PCW (Post Consumer Waste) content —- It is not just enough to purchase “recycled” paper, this product is mainly composed of wood chips and mill scraps. The EPA only requires paper to contain 30% of PCW to be labeled recycled which means additional trees were cut to produce the paper. To be beneficial to forests, landfills, and the environment, recycled paper should be composed of 90% - 100% PCW. Compared to copy paper made from 100% virgin forest fiber, copy paper made from 100% PCW recycled content reduces:
· total energy consumption by 44%
· net greenhouse gas emissions by 38%
· particulate emissions by 41%
· wastewater by 50%
· solid waste by 49%
· wood use by 100%
(Source: Environmental Defense Paper Calculator and The Green Line Paper Company).

2) Look for non-bleached paper, or paper bleached in a chlorine free process such as oxygen bleaching.

3) Paper sourced from ecologically managed plantations or made from alternative fibers- such as hemp, kenaf, bagasse, wheatstraw, rice straw, etc.

If you have trouble finding “ocean friendly” paper in stores, you can always order from the Green Line Paper Company!

Entry by Katie Moses