Recycled Paper New Standard for EPA Office

Jan. 18, 2001
The mid-Atlantic regional office of EPA is practicing what it\r\npreaches -- recycling.

The mid-Atlantic regional office of EPA is practicing what it preaches -- recycling.

It announced a new policy today that all of the printing and copy paper that it uses will be 100 percent recycled with 100 percent post-consumer fiber and process chlorine-free.

Currently, the federal government standard for paper is that it only has 30 percent recycled post-consumer content.

"The environmental impact will be significant," said Bradley Campbell, EPA regional administrator. "Based on our anticipated use of copy paper and printed publications in the coming year, the environmental savings over the 30 percent standard for just our region equates to eliminating 73,372 pounds of solid waste, conserving 80,730 gallons of water, saving 105,300 kilowatt hours of electricity, preventing the emission of 133,380 pounds of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, and sparing the cutting of 810 trees that would be used for new paper."

Campbell said that he hopes other federal agencies, state and local governments and the regulated community will follow the agency''s lead.

All of the region''s publications will not only use 100 percent recycled paper with 100 percent post-consumer fiber but will be printed using vegetable-based inks.

Paper that is processed chlorine free reduces the amount of dioxin in wastewater.

The paper mills will use hydrogen peroxide or ozone to bleach the paper rather than using chlorine or chlorine dioxide.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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