Talk the Green Talk: No. 1

By popular demand, APEX 2.0 will begin routinely assisting you with updating your green vocabulary.

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Vol.1

Carbon Offsets. The financial instrument, utilized by individuals or companies, representing a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Chief Sustainability Officer. An executive put in charge of a corporation’s environmental programs.

Environmental Stewardship Policy. A formalized mission statement establishing companywide green objectives for both employees and customers.

Freesheet. Paper containing less than 10 percent mechanical pulp; sometimes referred to as wood-free.

Forest Stewardship Council-certified. Certification from an international non-profit which verifies responsible forest practices.

Green Fatigue. The eco-exhaustion experienced by those bombarded with green products, services and news from advertisers, the media and companies.

Greenwashing. A term used to describe the perception by many consumers that they are being misled on environmental practices of a company, or the benefits of a company’s product or service.

Integrated Mills. Mills that produce both pulp and paper.

LEED-certified. Abbreviation for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” a green building rating system that encourages global adoption of sustainable green buildings and development practices.

Lifecycle. Analysis of a product from production stage to disposal.

OMG. Abbreviation for a recovered paper grade including old magazines, catalogs and similar materials.

Post-consumer waste. Waste material, such as paper, that has passed through its end-user, the consumer.

Pre-consumer waste. Waste material from manufacturing operations—dry mill and printer factory waste, newsstand returns—that has not reached its end-user. This is highly desirable waste because it normally contains fewer contaminants and is easier to process.

Sludge. A byproduct of recycled paper composed of ash, coating, ink residues and chemicals that are not reused.

Soy Inks. Inks containing soybean oil.

Sustainable Forest Management. Managing a forest in a way that enhances its ecosystem while providing environmental, economic, social and cultural opportunities for present and future generations.