Recycled vs. virgin paper

[PedalPrinting]

After reading some debate in the "french paper" thread below. I decided to do a little searching on google. According to this UK site: Myths | Lovely as a Tree | More environmentally friendly graphic design, paper and print

It seems the "recycled is worse than sustainable tree farms" is a false statement. And the farms use more energy in production than recycling(for the most part). They mention a bunch of UK standards for categorizing the level of environmental conservation various paper mills implement. Anyone know if there is a similar set of standards in the US? Or of any resources here in the states?

But overall, I'd say using recycled paper would still be considered more "green" than virgin paper.

[HYNES]

Originally Posted by PedalPrinting

After reading some debate in the "french paper" thread below. I decided to do a little searching on google. According to this UK site: Myths | Lovely as a Tree | More environmentally friendly graphic design, paper and print

It seems the "recycled is worse than sustainable tree farms" is a false statement. And the farms use more energy in production than recycling(for the most part). They mention a bunch of UK standards for categorizing the level of environmental conservation various paper mills implement. Anyone know if there is a similar set of standards in the US? Or of any resources here in the states?

But overall, I'd say using recycled paper would still be considered more "green" than virgin paper.

I think you can call a paper "recycled" if contains even the mallest amount of post-consumer waste, something like 5%?

[Dusty!]

The Forest Stewardship Council

[Dusty!]

We're switching to all FSC certified papers in September when Finch will have most of their stock FSC certified (or so im told).

Many of the better recycled stocks in the us are only 30-70% recycled. They could clear cut a rainforest to get that other pulp.

I think the best bet is to go with something that is both post-consumer and FSC certified.