As a wholly Australian owned printer and publisher, 3E Innovative is actively interested in the environment and assisting companies and individuals to effect change. We are committed to working with paper merchants who use mills that have environmental management systems in place and have been internationally accredited.

So, when you see that a mill has ISO 14001 EMS, EMAS or carries the Nordic Swan or Blue Angel awards, you can be assured that you are buying a product from a mill that has the highest environmental policies in place.

3E Innovative through its suppliers is able to provide up-to-date and appropriate technical and environmental information (both in hard copy and electronic versions) about our standard product range and all papers used in our specialty quoted work. We encourage the use of a variety of ‘green’ paper options and by using these stocks you are eligible to use the environmental icons used by the merchants and mills and featured on this web site so that your audience know you are using an environmentally sustainable product.

3E Innovative’s Track Record

3E has not come to have its policy by default or a fashionable notion that has come of late, no 3E has used recycled product from day it started trading, it has always been part of our philosophy! Plastic Coatings often used by other firms are not used by 3E because they can’t be recycled! Of course some items are meant to last and where an item has a technical need in the field we will use the most appropriate materials for the job.

This policy and our track record lead us to be chosen as the printer for Earth Dialogues 2006 present by the Queensland Government and Green Cross International, a World Forum for Resource Management and Sustainability chaired by President Mikhail Gorbachev an the Honourable Peter Beattie MP, Premier of Queensland.

Environmental Terminology

EMS

Environmental Management Systems that manage environmental activities, products and services.

ISO

International Standard for organising and achieving continual improvement (ie. ISO 14001 Environmental Management System).

EMAS

Eco Management and Audit Scheme.

FSC

Forest Stewardship Council.

Symbols

Recycled

Made up of recycled fibres which have been extracted from existing paper products to be used in the manufacture of further paper products. Recycled paper can be 100% recycled or consist of a mixture of pre and post consumer waste along with some virgin fibre to add strength.

Pre-consumer Waste

Only types of waste from the mill itself, such as offcuts or broke.

Post Consumer Waste

Paper has been used in some form after leaving the mill. Gathered as offcuts from paper merchants, office waste or printed waste through household recycling.

Wood Free

Free from wood based impurities such as Lignin found in the plant structure by a chemical pulp process. Leaving only pure cellulose, the ideal substance to make paper. Stops discoloration problems. Also an environmental issue as no bleaching is generally necessary once Lignin is removed.

Environmental Accreditation

A paper mill that has internationally recognised environmental standards and an ongoing commitment to the conservation of natural resources. The paper mill has established an environmental management system with standards in excess of legal requirements that operate in tandem with their product quality controls.

Sustainable Forestry Practices

Fibre used in the production of paper that shows this symbol is sourced from pulp suppliers who practice sustainable forestry techniques and/or managed renewable plantation forests.

Totally Chlorine Free (TCF)

No Chlorine gases or compounds are used in the bleaching process. * There is no toxological difference between waste waters generated from ECF or TCF based bleaching.

Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF)

No chlorine gases are used in the bleaching process. The ECF process uses chlorine dioxide - when the bleaching process is complete, the chlorine atom leaves the process as chloride or salt. * There is no toxological difference between waste waters generated from ECF or TCF based bleaching. ISO 9706

Acid Free

The paper is acid free ensuring it is safe for archival use.