THE DIRT
 The pulp and paper industry is the single largest consumer of water used in industrial activities in OECD (Organisation of Economic Development) countries and is the third greatest industrial greenhouse gas emitter, after the chemical and steel industries (http://www.environmentalpaper.org/PAPER-statistics.html)

 An estimated 70,000 hectares of native Australian forest is cleared for woodchips each year, and a large amount of this used for paper production

 50% of our tallest forests and 75% of our rainforests have been lost forever, with 33% of native animals and 33% of native plants extinct, rare or threatened

 During the pulp bleaching process, chlorine is combined with carbon-based substances such as wood, which produces by-products called chlorinated organic compounds, including dioxins and furans

 Dioxins are not soluble, and have been labelled "the most potent carcinogen ever tested in laboratory animals" by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

 Dioxins also accumulate in the fatty tissues of fish, and can work their way up the food chain, becoming a health risk to humans and wildlife

Making a Difference

 For every 40 cases (or 1 ton) of 100% post-consumer recycled paper purchased instead of virgin fiber paper, we save approximately 59 trees, 38,600L of water and 950kg of atmospheric emissions

 Source reduction/waste prevention should be encouraged by double-sided copying, two-way envelopes, reducing junk mail and better use of technology (i.e. using a disk instead of printing a document)

G SPOT
YES stationery just got sexy;   how wonderful is paper that later grows into trees! or pencils made from old newspapers (spilt coffee and all!). Yes, rulers made from old cups and stapleless staplers are the new face of green. See below for your free pencil offer!


COME CLEAN
Check out our favourite green stationery items school, uni, home or the office........

Paper-Go-Round is Australia's source of seeded paper – paper containing seeds of Australian native trees and shrubs. Read it... plant it... watch it grow. It’s ideal for promotions, fliers, invitations, gift cards; do-it-yourself by printing on A4 sheets. It’s 100% recycled (apart from the seeds!) and produced using human and renewable energy. www.papergoround.com.au

My Fair Ladybird. Ethical Trading Company. Bringing you a delightful range of ethical giftware.Hand crafted traditionally by women in Nepal.Designed in Australia. Traded with compassion. “Tree-Free Paper” product range: Himalayan Lokta Paper.Local sustainable resource of Nepal.Made only from the bark of the Lokta shrub.Regenerates every 6 – 8 years. Helping to preserve fragile Himalayan ecology and economy.
www.myfairladybird.com


Eco Depot is the place to get your work or uni bag ready for action. Check out the fabulous 'rebound' notebooks made from old book covers and paper made from 100% denim cut offs! You'll also need some pencils made from old newspapers and of course a bag made of an old billboard to put it all in!

If you are looking for a ruler that 'used to be a plastic cup' or a pencil case that 'used to be a tyre' then Biome  is the place to go. You'll also find everything you need for the eco home or office including a stapeless stapler!
Cleanlife subscribers will receive a FREE O'BON wildlife pencil twin pack with any purchase.  Simply insert "Cleanlife" in the Comments box during checkout.

Gina has been busy writing about 'all things green and non-toxic' for the current issues of CleanFood Organic, Perth VITA, Conscious Living Magazine and Perth LifeStyle and Habitat. Visit our media page to find out more.