A new way to assess the environmental performance of paper

Severnprint have started to compare the papers they recommend by analysing the paper’s environmental credentials and comparing them on a “Fir Cone” scale.

The lower the number the more environmentally suitable the paper is. Most paper suppliers are reluctant to quote the CO2 figure for the papers they supply so Severnprint have developed their own internal assessment tool.  

For the past few months we have been gathering information from our paper suppliers about the environmental credentials of their papers.

The top 15 papers, which represent 75% of all papers supplied, were then further evaluated to assess their environmental credentials or their “Fir cone scale”. This was based on where the pulp/paper came from, is it virgin or recycled, is it FSC/PEFC approved, the eco credentials and location of the mill, miles travelled from mill to depot and then on to Severnprint. The total number of journeys in delivering to Severnprint was also considered. 

Most of our suppliers provided a range of varying details about the make up of the papers; those that were unable (declined?) to provide any information about their papers were discounted from the “fir Cone” analysis and so were not on the recommended paper list. Only one supplier was able (willing?) to provide full CO2 details of their papers.