New Leaf Paper Company

We're excited to announce that we now offer a broad array of New Leaf Paper Company eco-preferable papers. If you're not familiar with New Leaf Paper you will be very happy to learn more about them. Started in 1998 New Leaf Paper created a line of high quality printing papers with exceptional eco features. Most of the papers have very high recycled content and are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. The collection of papers range from uncoated to premium cast coated. Focusing on white and off-white papers you'll find papers with great quality that help you to make a statement and to make a difference in the sustainable choices you make when designing projects.

Below is a listing of the eco-preferable papers from New Leaf Paper.

Everest ® FSC & 100% Recycled Paper

Imagination ® FSC & 100% Recycled Writing, Text & Cover Paper

Primavera ® FSC & 60% Recycled Gloss Coated Paper

Primavera ® FSC & 60% Recycled Silk Coated Paper

Reincarnation ® FSC & 30% Recycled Cast Coated Paper

Reincarnation ® FSC & 50% Recycled Matte Coated Paper

Sakura ® 100% De-Inked Recycled Matte Coated Paper

FSC protects & perserves forests

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) helps makes forestry profitable and sustainable. Through its forest certification process and the subsequent consumer support of FSC certified wood products, well run and sustainable forest are profitable. Profitable forests remain as forest land and avoid the all too common occurrence where forest land becomes more valuable as developed land and is sold to developers by its owners. When you support FSC wood products, specifically paper, you are supporting the existence of well managed forests and you are helping to keep forests as forests. Your buying decisions make a difference.

Some groups have fought to stop forestry on some privately owned lands. When these groups are successful the land lays fallow and becomes unprofitable. This can lead to lands being sold for development or uses other than forestry.

The sale of Finch Paper's Adirondack forests is a rare exception where the land is sold by the forester and is purchased by a responsible steward of the forest. As reported in my last post Finch Paper sold its 161,000 acres of prime Adirondacks forest land to the Nature Conservancy. I believe Finch's property was a well run, FSC forest, which was put on the market to raise cash for the new owners of Finch Paper and reduce the debt they incurred buying the company.

What would have happened if the Nature Conservancy did not find the funding for the $110 million price tag? Can you imagine the feeding frenzy, that this last and largest private parcel of Adirondack land, would have sparked from a variety of private interests looking to monetize this property.

The issue of forestry and environmental stewardship is complicated. The Forest Stewardship Council has created a scenario where being responsible is not just the "right thing to do" but it is also the profitable thing to do. FSC products preserve forests and help to stem development.

Here is an intersting article to further decribe this issue.

The Eco Rush is On

The paper industry has heard the cry for eco-friendly practices loud and clear. There is much opportunity for the paper industry to provide products and services that lessen the negative impact of the industry's activities on the environment.

Over the past couple of years two environmentally beneficial initiatives have taken hold in the paper industry, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification of forests and renewable energy. Both of these initiatives provide substantial benefit to lessening the impact of paper manufacturing and distribution on the environment. What I find intriguing is that both of these initiatives are voluntary and can be economically beneficial to the companies supporting these programs.

Briefly FSC certification, with the consumers support, increases demand for FSC products and therefore adds value to these products throughout the manufacturing and distribution channels. Renewable energy and most commonly wind power offer an opportunity for companies to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (REC) that in effect subsidize the growth of renewable energy production, more wind farms, etc. Purchasing REC also adds value to a company's marketing profile and reduces quantifiable amounts of carbon from our atmosphere.

FSC and REC represent two programs which provide significant environmental benefits, significant economic benefits and for those of you preferring less government regulation the programs are 100% voluntary by industry. Consumers are the driving force behind this movement. If you are interested in seeing these and other beneficial environmental steps move forward support companies and products that support these programs. You might find yourself amazed at the power the consumer has today. Company executives are listening in unprecedented numbers.