Stylish Wedding Ideas for the Environmentally Thoughtful Bride

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Monday, November 23, 2009

What Does it Mean to Be Green - Your Paper

Going "Green" means so many things. It's really hard to explain everything in one post. So I am going to take several posts to try and dig a little deeper and explain a few specifics, and give you examples about how you can easily incorporate these changes into your wedding.
Let's start with your wedding stationery.
If you have followed any of my past posts you already know I am a wedding planner who specializes in environmentally thoughtful weddings. But you may not know that I also design and print all of the wedding stationery pieces for the brides I work with. This is what I look for in the paper I use:
Post Consumer Waste Paper: This is paper that has been recycled back into the paper making process by consumers. New paper is made and typically is noted by the recycling chain sign and notation-PCW. I look for paper that is at least 30% PCW. But there are papers out there that are as high as 100% post consumer waste.
Recycled Paper: Usually recycled paper is made of 100% recycled content. And this paper is usually paper that is recycled back into the paper making process by the manufacturer. The manufacturer simply puts its scraps back into the process.
Responsible Mill Practices: If you see this note on your paper it means that it has been produced by a mill that recognizes responsible, sustainable forestry, and is certified by a third party.
Renewable Content: This is paper that contains at least 20% renewable content, usually plant fibers or cotton.
Renewable Energy Sources: This is paper that has been made using renewable energy sources- hydro power or wind power. Think wind turbines.
PCF: Means Processed without the use of elemental chlorine. (Processed Chlorine Free)
USA: Means Made in the USA. This is paper that was created and produced domestically.
What can you do? It's simple. Look for these signs and words when you are sourcing your wedding stationery paper. Look for the companies and individuals who consider using these sources of paper an important part of their business practices.
Carol

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