Today, there are various types of paper for printing. Due to the climate crisis, the most in-demand options are eco-friendly paper and recycled paper. Although they may seem similar, they differ in their origin and manufacturing process.
It is important to note that paper is the material most commonly used in print production. It is also one of the most versatile materials, as it can vary depending on its properties.
Below, we answer some common questions to help you distinguish between eco-friendly paper and recycled paper.
What is eco-friendly paper?
Eco-friendly paper is produced under environmental preservation criteria, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact generated during its manufacturing.
The raw material used in some eco-friendly papers may not be of forest origin. When it is, the paper can be labelled as eco-friendly if it comes from responsibly managed forests that ensure reforestation. The international FSC® certification, for example, guarantees that the virgin fibre used comes from sustainably managed forests.
What is recycled paper?
Recycled paper is made from fibres that have been previously used. To produce this type of paper, fibres must be recovered and selected, as not all are suitable. Once this selection process is completed, recycling begins and new sheets are produced for reuse.
What is the difference between eco-friendly paper and recycled paper?
The main difference lies in the origin of the raw material. Eco-friendly paper primarily uses virgin fibres to produce paper pulp, whereas recycled paper does not use virgin fibres. In fact, recycled paper can sometimes require more chemicals to achieve the desired whiteness compared to other types of paper. In contrast, eco-friendly paper uses virgin fibres and generally involves fewer aggressive chemicals in its production.
Certification of eco-friendly paper for printing
Paper with FSC® certification guarantees that the products come from responsibly managed forests, which meet strict standards of good forest management worldwide.
FSC® is a non-governmental organisation that promotes environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable forest management.
Artyplan promotes environmental sustainability
At Artyplan, we promote the use of sustainable resources across our production systems. All our small-format print production can be carried out on FSC®-certified paper, meaning eco-friendly paper.
