Become a “Green” Acronym-ologist.

Recycled Paper - Used to describe any paper product that was reused to make wood pulp, including paper mill waste. The paper mill waste is typically not considered as beneficial as PCW, but it is considered recycled.

PCW - Post Consumer Waste – This term describes paper that has already been manufactured and shipped into the market place. After it has been used it is reclaimed, transported back to a paper mill for de-inking and use as a replacement for virgin pulp. Typically recycled paper is described based on the amount of PCW it contains.

ECF - Elemental Chlorine Free – Be Aware: Papers sold as "elemental chlorine-free" (ECF) are not the same as "chlorine-free." Products labeled as elemental chlorine-free were bleached with some form of chlorine or chlorine-based compound, producing dioxins. Dioxin, created by bleaching with chlorine compounds, has been connected to cancer, infertility, learning disabilities, diabetes and other critical health problems.

TCF - Totally Chlorine-Free – These papers are made from virgin fiber and have not been bleached with chlorine or any chlorine-based compound.

PCF - Processed Chlorine-Free – Formerly listed as Secondarily Chlorine-Free, these papers contain up to 100% recycled content that has not been re-bleached with chlorine-containing compounds. Any virgin fiber in these papers is TCF. Since it is impossible to tell whether their recycled content has been bleached with chlorine in the past, PCF paper cannot be labeled as totally chlorine-free.

FSC - Forest Stewardship Council – This is a non-profit, international, independent membership organization founded in 1993 to help set standards for responsible forestry. A large part of their efforts are geared toward sustainability of the forests. In the US, FSC is the most widely known and recognized of the three forest initiatives.

FSC Certified – This certification guarantees, through “chain of custody” regulations, the fiber used to produce the paper has been harvested from a properly managed forest. This is the primary certification recognized by leading environmental groups, industry and government agencies. Environmental supporters include Rainforest Alliance, World Wildlife Fund and Forest Ethics. FSC is now considered as an alternative to, or addition to recycled fiber, and is regarded by many as the most important environmental designation in the paper industry.

SFI - Sustainable Forestry Initiative – SFI Inc. is a fully independent, charitable organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. The organization works with conservation groups, local communities, resource professionals, landowners, and countless other organizations and individuals who share their passion for responsible forest management. SFI is essentially the same as FSC but not as widely known or marketed.

PEFC - Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification – The PEFC Council (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes) is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization, founded in 1999 which promotes sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification. The PEFC provides an assurance mechanism to purchasers of wood and paper products that they are promoting the sustainable management of forests. ISO 14001 – Internationally recognized management standard designed to continually improve environmental performance. Green Power – This refers to electricity generated by renewable and non-polluting resources such as wind power, hydro power and biogas.

REC – Renewable Energy Credits – A REC (pronounced: rěk) represents the property rights to the environmental, social, and other non-power qualities of renewable electricity generation. A REC, and its associated attributes and benefits, can be sold separately from the underlying physical electricity associated with a renewable-based generation source. The concept is that REC's fund the producers of renewable energy, thereby reducing demand for producers of fossil fuel energy.

Carbon Neutral – Describes products that have had their carbon dioxide emissions either reduced or “offset” through the purchase of credits that fund emission free-energy projects or energy efficiency initiatives.

SGP – Sustainable Green Printing Partnership - The mission of the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership is to encourage and promote participation in the worldwide movement to reduce environmental impact and increase social responsibility of the print and graphic communications industry through sustainable green printing practices. Printers can join the SGP registry by meeting a set of criteria to establish performance standards. The registry will be available to the print buying community so that they can easily identify and contact “green” printers within their area.