Seventh Generation Paper Towels Go Chlorine-Free
Seventh Generation, Inc., a leading brand of natural household products in the U.S., now provides consumers with the reassurance that its recycled paper towels are certified “Processed Chlorine-Free.” Read More
Seventh Generation, Inc., a leading brand of natural household products in the U.S., now provides consumers with the reassurance that its recycled paper towels are certified “Processed Chlorine-Free.”
Seventh Generation says it is the first consumer brand in North America to certify its paper products by an independent association.
“We are thrilled to be the first brand to offer consumers independent certification that our paper products are indeed processed without the use of chlorine. This is a very important issue to consumers, and important to the mission of our company,” said Jeffrey Hollender, founder and president of Seventh Generation, Inc.
Since its founding in 1986, Seventh Generation has been committed to providing household products that are safer for consumers and the environment. Their paper products are made from 100% recycled paper, without the use of chlorine. When virgin wood pulp or recycled paper is bleached with chlorine, the reactions produce toxic substances, the most of which includes a family of 75 chemicals known as dioxins, and thousands of other chemicals called organochlorines. The U.S. EPA’s Dioxin Reassessment has found dioxins 300,000 times more potent as a carcinogen than DDT.
In a coup for Seventh Generation, the Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA) has certified that the manufacturing facility where Seventh Generation manufactures its paper towels does not use chlorine chemistry and has third party accounting for all post consumer content.
According to Archie J. Beaton, CFPA executive director, the PCF certification mark soon will appear on Seventh Generation white paper towels; the company is working to extend the certification to its other paper products.
“We are glad to partner with Seventh Generation in support of products that are better for the environment … we are excited that consumers will finally be able to find this kind of accountability and can hopefully look for the TCP/PCF certification mark on more products in the future,” Beaton said.
In Black and White:
- Processed Chlorine-Free, or PCF, is a term reserved for recycled content papers. As a feedstock, all recycled fibers used must meet EPA or Regional Authority guidelines for recycled or post-consumer content (PCW) and have not been re-bleached with chlorine containing compounds. Depending on grade, a minimum of 30% PCW is required. A certified producer has no current or pending environmental permit violations and the pulp fiber comes from sustainably harvested forests free of old growth. If the paper contains any virgin fiber, that fiber is Totally Chlorine Free.
- Totally Chlorine-Free, or TCF, is a term reserved for virgin products produced without the use of chlorine, or chlorine containing compounds, or its agents. A certified producer has no current or pending environmental permit violations and the pulp fiber comes from sustainably harvested forests free of old growth.
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