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Sustainability Acronyms
AFF – Ancient Forest Friendly refers to paper that is Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) or Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) and contains only the following fibers: Post Consumer Recycled (PCR), de-inked recycled, agricultural residue (tree-free virgin), or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.
APET – Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate
CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility
ECF – Elemental Chlorine Free refers to virgin paper that uses a chlorine derivative (e.g. chlorine dioxide) for whitening during the pulping process.
EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
EPP – Environment Preferred Products
FSC – Forest Stewardship Council
GHG – Greenhouse Gas Emissions
HDPE – High-Density Polyethylene
ISO – International Organization for Standardization
LDPE – Low-Density Polyethylene
LOHAS consumer – Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability Consumers. A demographic sector whose purchase decisions are driven by organic, sustainable, recyclable and eco-friendly products and packaging.
PCF – Process Chlorine Free indicates that no chlorine or chlorine compounds were used in the pulp and papermaking process.
PCR – Post Consumer Recycled or PCW (Post Consumer Waste) refers to paper that was printed on or used for its intended purpose, put into a recycling bin & then recycled into new paper or products.
PCW – Post Consumer Waste (see above). Note that the term "fiber" is often used instead of waste.
PET – Polyethylene Terephthalate
PLA – Polylactide (PLA), a corn-based material
PP – Polypropylene
PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride
REC – Renewable Energy Credit; see the REC page for more information.
SFI – Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
TCF – Totally Chlorine Free is designated for virgin fiber papers in which no chlorine or chlorine compounds were used in the pulping process.
TRF – Totally Recycled Fiber
UV – Ultraviolet
VPI – Value Producing Items
VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds