Blue Dot Paper Shop, Paper Products to Inspire You

The Green Behind the Blue

At bluedotpapershop.com we believe in being environmentally responsible. Whether it’s reusing shipping materials, recycling scraps, or selling products from manufacturers who practice eco-friendly methods, we’re committed to offering the best possible product for you and the environment. The majority of the paper we sell is made locally in Niles, Michigan. One of the “greenest” paper manufacturers in the business, French Paper Company has been running their mill on hydroelectric power for the past 100 years.

We’re particularly conscious of the effect a product such as paper has on our natural resources, which is precise- ly why much of our paper comes from sustainable forestry, and is certified to meet high standards for “green” practices by various environmental organizations. They’re small steps, but we’ll continue to look for ways to improve our environmental practices. To learn more about the definition of “green”, and how our products mea- sure up check out the info below. As always, maximizing your sheet size, and reusing or recycling your paper scraps can help reduce waste, too. How do our papers measure up?

How do our papers measure up?

Solid Colors
Recycled (some 100%)/Green-e/PCF/Acid Free/made with hydro-electric (green) power

Fibers & Confetti
Recycled (30% post-consumer fiber) Elemental Chlorine Free/Acid Free

Metallics
ECF/Manufactured in Italy meeting well-managed forest requirements

Parchment
Recycled (30% post-consumer fiber) Elemental Chlorine Free/Acid Free

Patterns
Recycled/Green-e/Acid Free

Laid
Recycled/FSC/Green Seal/Green-e/PCF/Acid Free

Linen
Recycled/FSC/Green Seal/Green-e/PCF/Acid Free

Columns
Recycled/FSC/Green Seal/Green-e/PCF/Acid Free

Vellum
11 colors FSC-Certified. All colors Elemental Chlorine Free/Acid Free/Lignin Free

What does environmentally friendly mean?

FSC (Forest stewardship Council)

The Forest Stewardship Council was created to change the dialogue about and the practice of sustainable for- estry worldwide. Products bearing the FSC logo guarantees that the wood came from a certified well-managed forest.

SFi: sustainable Forestry initiative®

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) program is based on the premise that responsible environmental behavior and sound business decisions can coexist. SFI program participants practice sustainable forestry on all the lands they manage. They also influence millions of additional acres through the training of loggers and foresters in best management practices and landowner outreach programs.

Green Seal

Green Seal is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transform- ing the marketplace by promoting the manufacture, purchase, and use of environmentally responsible products and services. Green Seal Certification ensures that a product meets rigorous, science-based environmental lead- ership standards.

Green-e

Green-e is the nation’s leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions in the retail market. It has three certification programs: Green-e Climate, Green-e Energy and Green-e Marketplace

CFPa (Chlorine Free Products association)

The CFPA helps identify environmentally preferable TCF (Totally Chlorine Free), PCF (Processed Chlorine Free) and ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) products to reduce impacts on the air, water and earth. Totally chlorine-free (TCF)

Virgin paper produced without chlorine or chlorine derivatives (the bleaching process uses oxygen- based com- pounds).

Processed chlorine-free (PCF)

Contains recycled content produced without elemental chlorine or chlorine derivatives, although one or more fiber components may have originally been bleached with chlorine or chlorine derivatives. Any virgin pulp is TCF.

Elemental chlorine-free (traditional ECF)

Replaces elemental chlorine with chlorine dioxide in the bleaching process.

Recycling

Prevents the waste of useful materials, reduces consumption, reduces energy usage and helps control green- house gas emissions. It is where every environmentally friendly initiative begins.