Just as new chlorine-free papers are introduced and new production
methods are devised, technical terms within the industry change and
evolve.
Totally Chlorine-Free (TCF) – These papers
are made from virgin fiber and have not been bleached with chlorine
or any chlorine-based compound.
Processed Chlorine-Free (PCF) – Formerly listed
as Secondarily Chlorine-Free, these papers contain up to 100% recycled
content that has not been re-bleached with chlorine-containing compounds.
Any virgin fiber in these papers is TCF. Since it is impossible to
tell whether their recycled content has been bleached with chlorine
in the past, PCF paper cannot be labeled as totally chlorine-free.
Be Aware: Papers sold as "elemental
chlorine-free" (ECF) are not the same as "chlorine-free."
Products labeled as elemental chlorine-free were bleached with some
form of chlorine or chlorine-based compound, producing dioxins.
Click here for a list of chlorine-free paper and products for your home and office.
Dioxin, created by bleaching with chlorine compounds, has been connected to cancer, infertility, learning disabilities, diabetes and other critical health problems.
Using 100% post-consumer chlorine-free paper saves: a million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, a million Kilowatt hours of energy, a million gallons of water, and thousands of full grown trees.