Going Green With Style: Invitations and Paper Products Part II

Paper and printing play a major role in invitations. If you are designing your own invitations, or working with an invitation studio here are some things to look for when designing green invitations:
Paper Options
There are many different types of paper to consider when planning for eco friendly invitations. Here are some basic types to look for, and descriptions of what their seals mean:
- Alternative fiber papers such as cotton, hemp or bamboo make wonderful and unique invitations. This paper is completely tree free because it is made from alternative fibers and not wood pulp.
- Recycled papers or Post Consumer Fiber paper. This paper reduces pressure on our remaining forests, saves water and energy, and diverts solid waste from our landfills. Buying recycled helps the environment out immensely. Ariel Dekovic, coauthor of 365 Ways to Save the Earth says, "Every ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, the energy equivalent of 380 gallons of oil, and keeps almost 60 pounds of pollutants out of the atmosphere." Buy recycled when you can!


Here is a look at some of the seals companies put on their paper, and just what they mean.
- FCS certified papers ensure that the paper meets the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) standards for responsible forest management.
- Green seal certified means that the papers are made with a minimum of 30% post consumer fiber and that mill processes, including the paper's packaging, are environmentally friendly.
- Chlorine free certified papers insure that the papers are manufactured free of chlorine chemistry and from sustainable raw materials.
- Green-e certified papers are made with renewable energy such as wind power or solar power.
Printing
Printing also plays a major part in keeping invitations eco friendly. Since most inks are made from petroleum, ask your invitation designer if they can print with soy or vegetable based inks.
Stay tuned for our next Going Green With Style post!