Paper Information and Resources

Tree-Free Paper

Tree-free paper is far from an environmental fad. In fact, up until the 1850s, cotton rags and nonwood plants were the dominant sources of fiber used for paper making! However, that situation changed rapidly in the late 1800s with the development of wood pulping technologies that took advantage of the vast forest resources in the U.S.

Today, nearly all of the virgin paper produced in the U.S. is made from wood fiber derived from trees. Although recovered paper makes up a significant—and growing—percentage of the fiber used to make paper in the U.S. (36.5 percent in 1998), wood fiber from trees harvested specifically for paper-making still accounts for nearly 50 percent of the total fiber used for paper-making in the U.S.

Tree-free papers offer an environmentally preferable alternative to tree-based papers for several reasons. The plant sources of tree-free fibers regrow rapidly and the harvesting of the plants does not disrupt natural ecosystems. Additionally, the processing of tree-free fibers to produce pulp for paper-making requires considerably less energy and chemical input than does the processing of wood-based fibers. With growing restrictions on timber harvesting, and increasing concerns to preserve forests and reduce pollution from virgin wood pulp production, tree-free papers are gaining increased attention.

Tree-free papers are produced from one of two sources: crops grown specifically for paper-making (usually annuals, such as kenaf or hemp); and residues from agricultural crops (such as straw from rice, wheat, and rye).

Other Web Sites

Conservatree Web: This Web site is a comprehensive information source for what's really going on with recycled papers, as well as with tree-free and chlorine-free paper. Contains an article that provides a good overview of "environmentally sound papers," and a good analysis of the relative benefits of totally chlorine-free paper, tree-free paper, and recycled paper.

Fiber Futures: Fiber Futures is a private/nonprofit project that promotes innovative tree-free and recycled products. Fiber Futures performs market research, refines business plans, sponsors product showcases, convenes educational forums, identifies potential sources of capital, and locates markets for new products. Fiber Futures takes an entrepreneurial, collaborative approach with businesses, farmers, communities, regulators, investors and others to achieve outcomes in the public interest.

ReThink Paper: ReThink Paper is a project of Earth Island Institute. The goal of ReThink Paper is to reduce the U.S. pulp and paper industry's consumption of virgin wood fibers through public education, reducing paper consumption, and promoting nonwood and recycled paper alternatives to wood-based, virgin paper.

Other Publications

Dard Hunter, Papermaking: the History and Technique of an Ancient Craft, Dover Publications, New York, ©1943, Revised 1978.

Dan Imhoff, The Simple Life Guide to Tree-Free, Recycled and Certified Papers, SimpleLife Books, Boonville, CA, ©1999. Contact: info@simplelifebooks.com