A commitment by California local governments to only purchase 100% recycled content copy paper as well as a new wave of product and brand upgrades by suppliers may result in more recycled content office paper output in the US.
Even so, the amount of recycled content US office paper produced remains a very small fraction of the overall uncoated freesheet (UFS) market. Nine of the largest cities and counties in California started directing their government departments to only purchase 100% postconsumer content recycled copy paper. The entities joined under an umbrella Green Cities California group promoting sustainability.
The cities of Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Berkeley, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Marin County, are also directing departments to reduce paper purchases this year by an average 15% from 2007 levels to offset higher costs for recycled copy paper. Seattle made a similar move a few years ago.
"It is imperative that cities and counties help develop the market for recycled paper," stated San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. "Together we will send the message that we're committed to recycling, and to buying recycled products. It's disgraceful to purchase paper made from virgin tree fiber when there are alternatives available."
With 30% recycled content the dominant standard, industry data shows about 6% of all US printing/writing paper is post-consumer fiber, based on a report for 2006. Contacts estimate 100% recycled copy paper represents 1-2% of the total UFS market of about 12 million tons/yr of shipments in 2007.
One office supply chain showed prices for 30% recycled content copy paper about 19% higher than virgin paper, and 100% recycled content paper 41% more expensive than virgin. The nine Green Cities members report purchasing half a billion sheets of office paper annually, at a cost exceeding $5 million dollars. By converting to 100% recycled paper, the cities said they will cut 8.6 million lbs of CO2 emissions, 19.6 million gallons of water and 11.5 million KW hours of electricity. The volume and price indicated the city governments involved consume a combined 2,500 to 5,000 tons/year of copy paper.
The California developments coincide with new announcements by several printing paper suppliers highlighting environmental attributes. Staples announced that 50% recycled content paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will be the standard offering at its 1,400 copy and print centers in the US.
The company set a goal of moving the majority of paper products it offers to FSC certified paper by the end of 2010, based upon availability of supply and market conditions. Staples said it has increased the average amount of postconsumer recycled content across all the paper products it sells from less than 20% by weight in 2003 to 30% in 2006.
"More customers are interested," a Staples spokesman said. "Paper is a big purchase for them."
Producer SMART Papers announced it modernized and expanded its high-value, premium uncoated Synergy writing, text and cover brand with four new colors, and new heavyweight papers.
Mohawk Fine Papers has relaunched its premium linen paper grade, Beckett Cambric, with 30% or 100% recycled content and entirely FSC certified.
Corporate Express said it expanded its offering of environmentally friendly paper by adding Domtar's FSC certified EarthChoice copy paper in addition to 30-100% recycled content papers already in stock.
Distributor New Leaf Paper announced in February the national launch of its New Leaf Imagination 100 writing, text and cover fine printing paper that is 100% recycled content, chlorine free and FSC certified (P&PW, Mar. 3, p. 3).
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