GoodGuide Tips for Buying Paper

The Issues

The impacts of producing products like tissue paper, toilet paper, paper napkins, paper towels, and printing paper include:

• Deforestation, which causes habitat destruction, accelerates global warming and can have negative social impact on indigenous peoples


• Chemical pollution from fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides on tree plantations


• Pollution of air and water with toxic chemicals during paper manufacturing


• High volumes of water use, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and solid waste

What To Look For

Recycled paper has a lesser environmental impact than paper made using virgin fiber, so look for:

• 50% or greater postconsumer recycled content paper


• Certification that any virgin content used in a paper product came from a sustainable source (preferably Forest Stewardship CouncilTM (FSC) certification)


• EcoLogo(tm) or Green Seal(tm) certifications


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• Papers with a chlorine-free designation (Processed Chlorine-Free or Totally Chlorine-Free)

What to Avoid

• Less than 30% postconsumer recycled content paper


• Papers without any chlorine-free designation, or with an elemental chlorine free designation.


• Virgin papers without a Chain of Custody or Forestry Management certification

GoodGuide Recommendations

Your goal should be to reduce unnecessary paper consumption as much as possible. Print only when necessary, and double-sided when you do. Use cloth napkins rather than paper napkins. Use a cloth rag instead of paper towels. When you have to purchase paper products, opt for recycled paper that is processed chlorine-free.