These three labels describe how a paper was bleached.
- PCF (processed chlorine free) applies to recycled paper. No chlorine or chlorine compounds were added during the recycling process. Some of the original fiber may have been bleached with chlorine before it was recycled, which cannot be undone, so PCF is the standard used for recycled stock.
- TCF (totally chlorine free) applies to virgin fiber that was bleached without any chlorine or chlorine compounds.
- ECF (elemental chlorine free) means chlorine gas was not used, but chlorine dioxide still was. ECF paper is not chlorine free, even though the name can make it sound that way.
Chlorine-free processing is standard on the paper we print on. If a quote lists an ECF paper as a chlorine-free option, ask about it, since the two are not the same thing.
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