Glossary

Afforestation

The method of growing trees in non-forest areas is known as Afforestation. This practice of growing trees has multiple benefits like it arrests soil erosion, reduces the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere by absorbing it in the process of photosynthesis, assists in the preservation of biodiversity and in general improves the aesthetics of the environment. Plants and trees are natural sources of carbon sink and hence afforestation helps in absorbing the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by power plants and other industries.

Biomass

Non-fossilized organic matter.

Biofuel

Liquid renewable fuel originated from biomass as e.g. biodiesel or bark.

Combined heat and power (CHP)

Generation of both heat and electricity from fuel; more efficient than normal fuel burning.

ECO-Label

Is a voluntary scheme, established in 1992 to encourage businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the environment. Products and services awarded the Ecolabel carry the flower logo, allowing consumers - including public and private purchasers - to identify them easily.

Effluent

A liquid, solid, or gaseous emission, such as the discharge or outflow from a machine or an industrial process.

Environmental management system (EMS)

The part of the overall management system which includes structures, practices, procedures and resources for the systematic implementation of an organisation's own environmental policy.

Forestry

The profession embracing the science, art, and practice of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources for human benefit and in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values.

Forest Certification

A means of protecting forests by promoting environmentally responsible forestry practices. Forests are evaluated according to international standards and certified as well as managed by a qualified independent auditor (or certifier). Wood or wood products from those forests are then labelled so that consumers can identify them.

FSC Forest Stewardship Council

Independent, non-governmental, non-profitable organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. As a multi-stakeholder organization, FSC applies the directive of its membership to develop forest management and chain of custody standards, deliver trademark assurance and provide accreditation services to a global network of committed businesses, organizations and communities.

Fossil fuels

Natural carbon-based substance produced by the breakdown of organic matter buried deep down in the earth's crust. These include gaseous fuels (natural gas), liquids (oil) and solids (coal).

Green Energy

Green energy includes natural energetic processes that can be harnessed with little pollution. Anaerobic digestion, geothermal power, wind power, small-scale hydropower, solar energy, biomass power, tidal power, wave power and some forms of nuclear power.

Papermaking

The process of making paper, a substance which is used universally today for writing and packaging. ln papermaking a dilute suspension of fibres in water is drained through a screen, so that a mat of randomly interwoven fibres is laid down. Water is removed from this mat of fibres by pressing and drying to make paper. Most paper is made from wood pulp, but other fibre sources such as cotton and textiles may be used.

PEFC Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

lnternational non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) through independent third-party certification. PEFC works throughout the entire forest supply chain to promote good practice in the forest and to ensure that timber and non-timber forest products are produced with respect for the highest ecological, social and ethical standards.

Quality Certification

Formal procedure by which an accredited or authorized person or agency assesses and verifies (and attests in writing by issuing a certificate) the attributes, characteristics, quality, qualification, or status of individuals or organizations, goods or services, procedures or processes, or events or situations, in accordance with established requirements or standards.

Recovered Paper

Paper recovered for recycling into new paper products. Recovered paper can be collected from industrial sources (scraps, transport packaging, unsold newspapers...) or from household collections (old newspapers and magazines, household packaging).

Recycled fibre

Fibre obtained from recovered paper; also secondary fibre.

Recycling of paper

Reprocessing of recovered paper in a production process for its original or another purpose, including composting but excluding energy recovery.

Reforestation

The reestablishment of forest cover either naturally (by natural seeding, coppice, or root suckers) or artificially (by direct seeding or planting).

Renewable energy

Renewable energy sources are environmentally friendly sources of energy that do not pollute our environment and do not contribute to climate change and global warming like traditional sources do. Renewable energy is often considered as the best way to tackle global warming and climate change. The more renewable energy we use the less fossil fuels we burn, and less burning of fossil fuels means less carbon dioxide emissions and lesser impact to climate change.

Solid waste management

Refers to the supervised handling of waste material from generation at the source through the recovery processes to disposal.

Sustainable development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainable Forest Management

Stewardship and use of forest lands in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, vitality and their potential to fulfill now and in the future, relevant ecological and social functions at local, national, and global levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems.

Third party

Third-party certification involves an independent assessment declaring that specified requirements pertaining to a product, person, and process or management system have been met.

Uncoated Woodfree paper (UWF)

Woodfree uncoated paper (WFU) or uncoated fine papers contain mainly chemical pulps and 5-25% fillers. Both softwood and hardwood chemical pulps are used and a minor part of mechanical pulp might be added (often of aspen or poplar). These paper grades are calendered. Woodfree uncoated papers are of high quality and have a natural look and feel. The properties are good strength, high brightness and good archival characteristics. They provide a non-glare surface suitable for reading and writing.

Virgin Fibres

Wood fibre never before used to make pulp, paper or board. Also primary fibre.