Asheville, NC, August 15, 2012 – The Environmental Paper Network has released a new version of the Paper Calculator to better assist paper buyers
with measuring the environmental impact of their paper usage and shifting to paper that supports climate and endangered forest protection.
The Paper Calculator is the original and most independent paper life-cycle impact estimator available. The improvements make the Paper Calculator easier to use, and include updated industry data and technical input from diverse stakeholders. The Paper Calculator is made available to users for free by the Environmental Paper Network thanks to its coalition members, its supporters, and through Power User premium sponsorships.
The original analytical model for the Paper Calculator was developed by Environmental Defense Fund based on research by the multi-stakeholder Paper Task Force. In 2011, Environmental Defense Fund completed a transfer of the Paper Calculator to the Environmental Paper Network. Today, the Paper Calculator is utilized by more than 50,000 users per year and appears on millions of pieces of environmentally improved paper products from companies such as Office Depot, Sprint and Starbucks.
The key improvements in version 3.2 include:
- More completely capturing the life cycle water use of both recycled and virgin fiber based on consultation with industry associations and life cycle experts
- Updated national average data on mill performance
- Calculates the environmental savings of both post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled content
- Updated decomposition rates for each of the paper grades based on new data
The Paper Calculator is committed to independence and transparency and a detailed documentation of the Paper Calculator version 3.2 methodology can be found at http://calculator.environmentalpaper.org/resources_and_tools.
The Environmental Paper Network also recently introduced the Power User premium sponsorship program, which offers additional features and technical support. The program’s inaugural members include respected non-profits and business leaders including Staples, New Leaf Paper, FutureMark Paper, Office Depot, Hemlock Printers, GreenerPrinter.com, Computershare, and Friesens Corporation.
Visit the new Paper Calculator today at www.papercalculator.org.
The Environmental Paper Network is a coalition of non-profit organizations working together to protect the earth’s climate and endangered forests by transforming the production and consumption of paper products. The Steering Committee of the Environmental Paper Network is Canopy, Climate for Ideas, Conservatree, Dogwood Alliance, ForestEthics, Green America, Green Press Initiative, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Council of Maine, and Rainforest Action Network.
Learn more about the Environmental Paper Network at www.environmentalpaper.org.
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