Eco-friendly paper: types, labels and how to choose

Eco-friendly paper is paper made in a way that reduces its impact on forests, water and energy. The most common type is recycled paper, especially paper with a high share of post-consumer waste. Other options include FSC-certified paper from responsibly managed forests, tree-free papers made from cotton or other plant fibers, and plantable seed paper. This guide explains each type, the labels to look for and how to choose the right paper for a print job.

Types of eco-friendly paper

Recycled paper

Recycled paper is made from paper fiber that has been used before. It reduces the demand for new wood pulp, and making it generally uses less energy and water than making paper from trees. The key detail is the type of recycled content:

• Post-consumer waste (PCW) is paper that people used and then put in a recycling bin, such as office paper and mail. This is the content that keeps used paper out of landfills.
• Pre-consumer content is trim and scrap from paper mills and printers that never reached a customer. It is worth using, but it does less to reduce waste.

A sheet labeled 100% PCW contains no new fiber. Many recycled papers are 30% or 50% PCW. Our guide to post-consumer recycled paper explains how to read the percentage on a paper spec.

FSC-certified paper

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies paper whose wood fiber comes from responsibly managed forests, and tracks that fiber through the supply chain. FSC labels come in three types: FSC 100% (all fiber from certified forests), FSC Recycled (all recycled fiber) and FSC Mix (a combination of certified, recycled and controlled sources). FSC certification and recycled content often appear together on the same sheet. See our guide to what FSC certified means.

Chlorine-free paper

Paper is often bleached to make it white. Chlorine-free processes use oxygen-based compounds instead of chlorine, which keeps chlorine byproducts out of the water near paper mills. You will see these terms on paper specs:

• PCF (processed chlorine free): recycled paper that was not re-bleached with chlorine.
• TCF (totally chlorine free): new fiber bleached without any chlorine.
• ECF (elemental chlorine free): bleached with chlorine dioxide instead of chlorine gas. It is cleaner than older methods but not chlorine free.

Tree-free paper

Tree-free papers are made from fibers other than wood.

• Cotton paper is made from cotton linters or textile scraps. It is soft, strong and popular for invitations and letterpress.
• Bamboo, hemp and sugarcane papers use fast-growing plants or agricultural leftovers, such as bagasse from sugarcane processing.
• Stone paper is made mostly from calcium carbonate bound with a small amount of resin. It contains no tree pulp and is water resistant, but it is not recycled with ordinary paper.

Kraft and unbleached paper

Kraft paper is a strong brown paper that is often left unbleached, which skips the bleaching step entirely. Recycled kraft is common for packaging, tags and envelopes. See kraft paper.

Seed paper

Seed paper is made from recycled paper pulp with wildflower or herb seeds pressed into the sheet. After use, it can be planted instead of thrown away. It suits cards, tags and invitations with simple designs.

Is recycled paper better for the environment?

In most cases, yes. Recycled paper keeps used paper out of landfills, reduces the need to cut trees for new pulp and generally takes less energy and water to produce. Paper fibers can be recycled several times before they become too short to use, which is why mills still add some new fiber to the overall supply. For most printed pieces, a sheet with a high share of post-consumer content and FSC certification is the most practical eco-friendly choice.

Labels and terms to look for

• Percentage of post-consumer content, such as 30%, 50% or 100% PCW.
• FSC certification and the FSC label type.
• PCF or TCF for chlorine-free processing.
• Green-e or renewable energy statements from some mills, which describe the electricity used to make the paper.

Be careful with vague words. "Eco," "green" and "earth friendly" on their own do not describe the paper. A clear spec names the mill, the paper line and the recycled percentage.

How to choose eco-friendly paper for printing

• Business cards, invitations and greeting cards: recycled or cotton cover stock, uncoated for writing. See recycled paper business cards.
• Letterhead and office paper: recycled bond or text that runs through laser printers. See best recycled printer paper.
• Brochures, catalogs and magazines: recycled text and cover, coated for photos or uncoated for text. See coated vs uncoated paper.
• Packaging, tags and labels: recycled kraft and paperboard. See sustainable packaging.
• Outdoor or wet use: stone paper or another durable sheet instead of laminated paper.

The finish matters as much as the paper. Plastic lamination, glitter and heavy foil make a piece hard to recycle, so an uncoated or matte recycled sheet is usually the better choice. Soy or vegetable-based inks complete the job.

The papers we print on

Most of the stock we print on is recycled and FSC certified, from mills including Sustana, Mohawk, Monadnock and Neenah, much of it 100% post-consumer waste. We also print on cotton, kraft, seed paper and stone paper. Our paper stocks page lists each sheet, and our guide to types of paper for printing compares them.

Common questions

What is the most eco-friendly paper?

For most printing, paper with 100% post-consumer recycled content, FSC certification and chlorine-free processing. Cotton and seed paper are good tree-free options for cards and invitations.

Is recycled paper eco-friendly?

Yes. Recycled paper keeps used paper out of landfills and reduces the need for new wood pulp. Paper with a high share of post-consumer content has the most benefit.

What is tree-free paper?

Paper made without wood fiber, such as cotton, hemp, bamboo, sugarcane bagasse or stone paper.

Is FSC paper the same as recycled paper?

No. FSC certification means the fiber comes from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources. Recycled paper is made from used fiber. Many papers are both.