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Our cover stocks that we use for all stationery, calling cards, photocards and invitations are manufactured using wind power and are chlorine free. Our paper is 100% Green certified, meaning that this paper has a FSC and SFI certification. Manufactured by wind power.
There are three major certification programs for paper (and lumber): FSC – Forest Stewardship Council, SFI – Sustainable Forestry Initiative and PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes. All three of these organizations promote responsible use of forest resources but do not necessarily mean recycled paper. Papers and companies that carry these certifications must be able to document their chain of custody from forest to mill to distributor to printer and demonstrate that all of the certifying organization’s guidelines have been met at each step along the way. As a company we are not certified by any of these organizations because it is extremely expensive to do so but all of our suppliers are and all of the papers we buy come from mills that carry at least one if not all of the certifications. Since we as a company are not certified we are not legally allowed to use any of the certification logos on any of our printed materials only the generic recycled logo.
The uncoated cover stock used for printing notecards, stationery and calling cards is made of 100% post consumer waste recycled fiber, mostly from waste from the milling process. The silk coated cover stock we print on for photocards and invitations is 50% recycled and 25% post consumer waste, meaning 25% of the fiber came from consumers who recycle. Because of the coating process and texture requirements there are currently no 100% recycled coated products available.
More About Paper Production:
Energy and Greenhouse Gases
Manufacturers are typically large consumers of electric power. Like most industries, paper mills have relied on a combination of thermal and electric energy generated by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
This process releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere and is the leading cause of climate change. We believe that practicing energy conservation, purchasing emission-free energy RECs and striving to be carbon neutral are the most fundamental stewardship choices Mohawk can make.
Our paper manufacturer's endeavor to lead our industry with innovative, strategic solutions. The purchase of renewable, emission-free wind-generated electricity RECs has become an essential part of our business strategy. Tackling climate change by reducing emissions is becoming just as important to our customers as using recycled paper.
In 2003 they became the only paper mill and one of the first large-scale production facilities in the United States to purchase renewable, emission-free windpower RECs. They currently procures windpower from two renewable energy market leaders, 3Degrees and Sterling Planet. The power from projects they represent is sold to the electricity grid, displacing an equivalent amount of power that would otherwise be produced with fossil fuel. They purchases renewable energy credits (RECs) from these two companies that equal 100 million kilowatt hours. The emission reduction benefits of this power are equal to 138 million miles NOT driven by passenger cars in one year, or planting a 24,400 acre forest.
All the manufacturer grades carry the "windpower” designation which means 100% of the electricity used to manufacture these grades is matched with RECs from Green-e certified windpower projects. Green-e is the nation’s leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy products. Green-e certifies the renewable energy projects to be sure that they meet strict environmental and consumer protection standards.
In May 2007, the manufacturer began offering products made carbon neutral within our production processes. In addition to purchasing enough Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to match 100% of the electricity used in their operations, the thermal energy used in the manufacture of several grades is offset with Verified Emissions Reduction credits (VERs) that fund renewable, emission-free energy projects. The purchased VERs meet the standards set by one of several verification organizations. These include Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS), Gold Standard, California Climate Action Registry (CCAR), and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Through this process, they are seeking to manufacture these papers with a net zero climate impact.
By specifying paper from mills that purchase RECs and VERs, companies are supporting the growth of renewable energy sources and deliver a message of environmental and social responsibility.
Fiber and Forests
Forestry is a major focus of the global sustainability movement, now that the consequences of clear cutting and irresponsible forestry are becoming apparent in terms of climate change, flooding and loss of biodiversity.
In recent years, forestry companies and paper mills have increasingly collaborated with environmental groups to become more responsible caretakers of forest lands. As a non-integrated paper mill, Mohawk purchases all of our virgin and recycled fiber pulp from market sources. We have the flexibility to choose the type of fiber and sources for the fiber we buy.
Our paper manufacturer's fiber suppliers have been notified that they will not accept fiber harvested from high conservation-value old growth forests. Suppliers are required to provide documentation demonstrating sound environmental practices and responsible forestry management. If the wood pulp comes from a forest that has been certified for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standards, they can be sure that the natural resource has been managed responsibly.
In 2002, our manufacturer earned FSC Chain-of-Custody certification to manufacture printing, writing and label papers that bear the FSC logo. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) was created in 1993 following the Rio Earth Summit to change the practice of responsible forestry worldwide. Since then, they have steadily expanded the number of papers meeting FSC standards in its line.
The FSC principles and criteria include conserving biological diversity, conserving old growth forests, protecting the well-being of indigenous groups, and slowing global climate change. The FSC has established a credible certification program that supports responsible use of forest resources.
The other way to reduce pressure on forest lands is to use high amounts of postconsumer waste fiber. Postconsumer waste (PCW) refers to paper that was recovered after being used by a consumer and discarded. Paper companies have responded to the demand for recycled paper with enhanced manufacturing technologies. Today about 35% of fiber used by American paper makers comes from recycled paper, and that number is only going to grow.
To help encourage recycling, a Federal Executive Order updated in 1998 requires all federal agencies to use paper with at least a 30% postconsumer content. By developing high-quality recycled papers, Mohawk uses over 18,000 tons of postconsumer fiber a year, which essentially eliminates the harvest of 312,000 trees.
Our paper manufacturer was the first paper manufacturer in the United States to receive Green Seal certification. Green Seal is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental standard setting, product certification, advertising claims substantiation and public education.
As part of their visible commitment to sustainability, many companies have become more careful about the volume and kinds of paper they use, especially for very large projects and those that carry an environmental or social responsibility message. They provide a broad range of coated and uncoated paper with a high recycled fiber content, many of which meet the EPA guidelines and carry the Green Seal and/or the FSC certification.
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