as the use of chemicals. Chlorine and its derivatives are frequently used to bleach fiber, which is not green. This procedure is sometimes called ele-mental chlorine free (ECF). The best environmental choice is towel and tissue products that are 100 percent recycled fiber and processed chlorine free (PCF). This means that the process does not allow the use of chlorine or any of its deriva-tives. Don’t be confused by ECF and PCF. When choosing towels and tissue, ask the manufacturer about their bleaching and deinking processes. Only 100 percent recycled towels and tis-sue manufactured without the use of chlo-rine in the process are truly environmentally preferable. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes recommended recovered and post-consumer waste con-tent in its Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Commercial Sanitary Tissue Products. For paper towels, the EPA recommends a minimum of 40 percent post-consumer waste content and a minimum of 20 per-cent post-consumer waste for bath tissue. Any product that claims to be green should meet these minimum requirements in addition to being made of 100 percent recovered materials. Do not hesitate to ask manufacturers to verify, in writing, the levels of post-consumer wastepaper in their towel and tissue products. ing excessive use or pilferage. Towels and tissue are stored inside the dispenser, helping to reduce the risk of cross-contamination since the only thing users touch is their personal towel. Combining controlled-use dispensing with products certified by reputable third-party organizations is the most environ-mentally preferable solution for your facility. Step Four: After Use The goal is reducing waste and practicing good environmental stewardship. Controlled-use dispensing systems that generate less waste help your facility meet this goal. Packaging is also a consideration; Green Seal mandates that bath tissue contain a minimum of 40 square feet of product per roll and, for facial tissue, at least 70 square feet of product per inner box. This helps eliminate excess packaging for these items, saving waste. Environmentally preferable packaging is more than just source reduction. Therefore, determining a product’s green status should not be based solely on this attribute. Ask about paper fiber and manufactur-ing processes in addition to packaging materials and generated waste to conclude whether a product is green. After use, the best environmental choice is closing the loop by recycling corrugated containers and other post-consumer mate-rials. Leading The Way Ensure your current products are proper for your facility. One product or item may not satisfy all of your washroom needs. You want to make the best impression, so provide employees or patrons a clean and cohesive image when entering your washrooms. Savvy users may ask about the environ-mental properties of products used in your facility. Knowledge of the green paper trail and its steps will help you answer those ques-tions and lead your staff and customers along the best environmental path. CM Circle Product Information no. 212 on page 32 www.cmmonline.com Step Three: Use In Your Facility Towel and tissue products are used for optimal personal hygiene. The best environmental choice for your facility is a no-waste paper system. Controlled-use dispensing helps save maintenance time and costs and discour-ages wasted paper. Less efficient paper systems such as folded towels tend to promote waste during ordinary use. Controlled-use dispensing gives the user the needed amount of product, discourag-23
CMM – Archives May 2011: 23
