Environment
Environmental Terms
Biodegradable- Waste material composed primarily of constituent parts that occur naturally, are able to be decomposed by bacteria or fungi, and are absorbed into the ecosystem. Paper is normally biodegradable.
- Bleached Pulp
- Pulp whose natural brightness has been improved using chemicals.
- Bleaching
- Bleaching method using chlorine or other chemicals to whiten the colour of the woodpulp used in papermaking.
- Ingredients of Paper
- Paper is composed of cellulose fibres such as from wood or cotton and additives, such as fillers, dyes and sizing.
- Lignin
- Wood is made up of cellulose fibres and lignin. The lignin acts as glue, which binds all the fibres together. Lignin is removed to make chemical woodpulp in the papermaking process.
- Longlife Paper
- Paper made in accordance with ISO 9706 to contain an alkali reserve to give it characteristics of permanence.
- Paper Grades
- Paper is classified into different grades according to the end use, the pulp used and the treatment of the paper.
- Paper Mills
- Mills (factories) that produce paper from woodpulp and alternative pulps.
- Post Consumer Waste
- Waste collected after the consumer has used and disposed of it. Recovered printed materials that can be de-inked to form a recycled pulp.
- Pre-Consumer Waste
- Also known as best white waste, typically these are unprinted off cuts, scraps, trimmings, overruns, etc from printers and converters that are then formed into a recycled pulp.
- Pulp
- Cellulose fibre that has been seperated from a plant into a form suitable for manufacture of paper.
- Recovered Paper
- Paper recovered for recycling into new paper products.
- Recycled Paper
- A broad term needs to be clearly defined. Recycled paper could mean anything from 100% post consumer waste to paper made from paper machine off cuts. There is no one clear definition of a recycled paper,so it is best to specify the fibre content.
- Recyclable
- All paper is, theoretically recyclable, but systems must be in place to ensure that this happens, before this term can be applied.
- Virgin Fibre
- Wood fibre that has never been used in the manufacture of paper or board.
- Woodfree Paper
- Paper made from chemical woodpulps. It does not contain any mechanical pulp beyond a permissible content of 5% by mass.
Timberland's Save the North Pole was the first shopping bag in the country to use 100% recycled material. Their "orange bag" uses soy inks and cotton handles. Helio is made with recycled post consumer waste and is fully recyclable....even the cotton handles.
Harrisburg, Pa –Effective April 2011, Commonwealth Packaging Company has become FSC® Chain of Custody certified.
FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council™) is an independent, not for profit non-government organization established to support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests.
Commonwealth Packaging Company is aware of the environmental concerns in the market place, and is proud to be at the forefront in making available paper bags manufactured with 100% post industrial waste material. In addition our plastic bags can be manufactured with up to 30% recycled material and/or can contain additives that accelerate degradation.
The Bottom line for our clients is that they are working with a "green" company that is sensitive to their impact on the environment.
