Environmentally Responsible Paper Use
The Highland Council purchases paper for two main purposes:
- Office photocopying and computer printouts;
- Printing of stationery and other council publications through the Council’s printing contractor called ‘Ink Shop’;
It is important for The Highland Council to act in an environmentally responsible manner with regards to its use of paper.
RECYCLED PAPER
For office supply purposes currently 100% of paper purchased from our main office equipment and stationery supplier, Lyreco, is made from recycled paper (with 80% recycled content). This forms part of the Councils commitment towards sustainable development.
For printing purposes also the Council’s contractor ‘Ink Shop’ can and do print on recycled paper if the client requests this and in such circumstances the recycling logo can be applied.
However print companies require good quality paper for poster and leaflet production. Typically the higher the percentage recycled content the lower the paper quality. Such paper can only be recycled a maximum of three to four times. The current financial markets have led to an increase in the price of good quality recycled paper for printing leading to subsequent printing price increases of 15%-40%.
Unless otherwise requested all Council items printed by Ink Shop are printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited paper at no additional cost to the Council.
FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (FSC) ACCREDITATION
The FSC provides paper accreditation ensuring that paper complies with strict ethics in forest management and sustainability. The FSC aims to conserve, protect and restore forests across the globe. The accreditation can only be granted when wood can be tracked from forest of origin through manufacturing, processing and distribution to end user.
FSC only certifies wood that is produced in a socially and environmentally acceptable way and certifies that there has been:
- No illegal harvesting of wood
- No harvesting in violation of traditional and civil rights
- No harvesting from forests with particular biological or cultural value
- No harvesting from conversion of natural forests
- No harvesting from genetically modified trees
FSC LOGO
Two FSC logos have been developed. The off-product logo is used by Ink Shop to certify that they are accredited under the scheme and can supply FSC products. The on-product logo (shown above) can be used on printed material. The Highland Council is authorised to feature this logo on products printed on FSC certified paper.