Sustainability in paper-fibre based products and services to the print, carton board and publishing sectors
SustainabilityPaper Facts
Paper is a remarkable material. Renewable, recyclable and made from a natural resource, it combines a centuries-old heritage with an increasingly important role in a lower-carbon, circular economy.
Fresh paper fibre starts with trees – a natural, renewable resource.
As trees grow, they absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere and store carbon within their wood and other biomass. When that wood is made into paper and board, some of this biogenic carbon remains stored within the product during its life.
And, importantly, responsible forestry means trees are grown, managed and regenerated as part of an ongoing cycle.
Trees aren't simply grown to make paper.
Commercial forests provide wood for construction, furniture, flooring and many other applications. Smaller diameter material, forest thinnings, harvesting residues and wood unsuitable for higher value solid wood products can all provide valuable fibre for pulp and paper production.
Paper therefore forms part of a wider forest products economy designed to make productive use of harvested wood.
Eucalyptus is an important source of paper fibre and demonstrates just how renewable forest resources can be.
Depending on species, geography and growing conditions, eucalyptus plantations can commonly be harvested on rotations of around 8–15 years. Some can also be managed through coppicing, allowing new growth to regenerate from the existing stump.
Renewability alone isn't enough. Forests must also be managed responsibly.
Recognised certification systems including FSC® and PEFC support responsible forest management by addressing environmental, social and economic requirements.
Where paper carries an FSC® or PEFC claim, Chain of Custody certification provides an independently controlled system for tracking certified material through relevant stages of processing, manufacture and supply.
It means customers can make informed and responsible purchasing decisions with greater confidence.
The legal framework surrounding forest-derived products continues to develop.
UK timber legislation requires businesses placing relevant timber and timber-derived products, including pulp and paper, onto the market to take appropriate steps to ensure that material originates from legal sources.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) goes further, introducing due-diligence and geolocation requirements intended to demonstrate that relevant commodities and products are legal and are not associated with deforestation or forest degradation.
For paper, traceability is becoming more important than ever.
Paper has a carbon footprint – and we shouldn't pretend otherwise.
Growing, harvesting, manufacturing and transporting paper all require energy and resources.
Paper related greenhouse gas emissions can therefore contribute to an organisation's carbon footprint and, depending upon reporting boundaries, purchased paper and paper products may form part of its Scope 3 emissions.
Recognising that footprint is the starting point for reducing it.
The European pulp and paper industry continues to decarbonise through energy efficiency, process improvements, renewable energy and in lower-carbon technologies.
CEPI reported that industry CO₂ emissions fell by 5.8% in 2023 and by more than 46% compared with 2005.
There is further to go – but the direction of travel is clear.
Recognised certification systems including FSC® and PEFC support responsible forest management by addressing environmental, social and economic requirements.
Where paper carries an FSC® or PEFC claim, Chain of Custody certification provides an independently controlled system for tracking certified material through relevant stages of processing, manufacture and supply.
It means customers can make informed and responsible purchasing decisions with greater confidence.
The priority should always be to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Where emissions cannot yet be eliminated, organisations can also consider recognised carbon-compensating programmes such as World Land Trust's Carbon Balanced Paper programme.
The programme supports projects protecting and restoring threatened forests and other high-value habitats, helping to conserve stored carbon and biodiversity.
Carbon compensation should complement credible emissions reduction – not replace it.
Paper was circular long before circular became fashionable.
Paper is highly recyclable and recovered fibre can pass through several useful lifecycles.
Recovered paper can be transformed into new paper and board products for applications including print, publishing, tissue and packaging. Products such as Revive, for example, demonstrate what can be achieved using 100% post-consumer recovered fibre.
Europe already has one of the world's highest paper recycling rates, with CEPI/EPRC reporting a recycling rate of 79.3% in 2023.
Every time paper is recycled, its fibres gradually become shorter and weaker. Eventually they become unsuitable for conventional papermaking.
That's why fresh and recycled fibre are complementary, not competing, resources.
Responsibly sourced fresh fibre replenishes the recycling system, while recovered fibre keeps existing material in productive use for longer.
Together, they help create a functioning circular fibre economy.
The fibres that are no longer useful for paper manufacture have a value in applications such as soil improvement, composting and horticulture. So, what starts from the ground eventually returns to the ground.
Paper's sustainability story isn't about claiming that it has no environmental impact.
It's about something much more credible.
A renewable raw material. Responsible forest management. Increasing traceability. Lower-carbon production. High recycling rates. Multiple useful lifecycles.
Want to find out more?