Publishers and Published Matter

Published matter constitutes a significant proportion of material around the home and office, and includes more wide-scale publications such as newspapers, magazines and advertising brochures. Understandably, however, the production of these items places a significant burden on the environment. Pulp used to produce paper is often derived from unsustainable or un-certified forest resources, the chemicals used in the paper production and within printing inks often contain volatile organic compounds (VOC's), equipment rinsing and dye-fixing solutions are often allowed to enter waterways, electrical components and parts of printers are often not recyclable and consist of hazardous materials and heavy-metals which enter the environment through landfill; binding adhesives and lacquers may contain carcinogenic substances; and waste paper and associated off-cuts are disposed to landfill, therein providing an avenue for chemical treatments to leach into the environment.

Fortunately, environmentally preferable publishing operations and associated published material is available. Environmentally preferable publishers and published matter can be identified by the following broad characteristics:

• Forest Management & Harvesting - Paper pulp wood is sourced from sustainable resources and/or certified harvesting operations
• Pulp & Paper Production - Paper manufacture avoids the use of hazardous chemicals, operates with low or no air and water emissions, minimises energy and water consumption, minimises wastes going to landfill, maximises the use of recycled pulp/fibre possible, uses non-toxic inks and treatments
• Waste & Waste Paper Processing - The manufacturer should sort and handle all wastes and waste paper in an appropriate manner, therein avoiding emissions to the environment and wastes going to landfill. This should include minimising raw resource consumption, and other cradle to grave procedures

Consider the following tips in order to select environmentally preferable published matter:

Consumer Behaviour Tips

• Choose paper made of sustainably harvested wood pulp certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and/or the Australian Forestry Standard, or equivalent accreditation scheme;
• Avoid paper made with or that contain halogenated bleaches, chlorine gases, halogenated hydrocarbon solvents, Alkylphenol ethoxylate solvents, and toxic or heavy-metal dyes;
• Avoid papers coated, treated or labelled that would reasonably prevent paper recycling;
• Avoid halogenated plastic packaging;

For specific information view our Environmental Standard for Published & Published Matter: www.geca.org.au/standardsregister.htm