Recycled Paper Guide
The Evolution of Sustainable Printing: Introducing Evolution Recycled Paper
Everyday office paper is one of the easiest workplace purchases to review when you want to reduce reliance on virgin fibre and make more sustainable procurement choices.
Evolution recycled paper is designed to combine recycled fibre with the print quality and reliability businesses expect from everyday office paper.
Everyday Sustainable Printing
Why recycled office paper matters
Offices may be using fewer printed documents than they once did, but paper remains an important everyday consumable for reports, correspondence, forms, presentations and general administration.
Choosing recycled paper can help keep recovered fibres in circulation and reduce demand for newly produced fibre, making it a practical option for businesses reviewing the environmental impact of routine purchasing.
The Product
What is Evolution recycled paper?
Evolution paper is manufactured using 100% recycled post-consumer fibre and is designed for everyday office printing applications.
The range has historically included A4 and A3 formats across different paper weights, with options intended for routine office printing as well as applications where a brighter or heavier sheet may be preferred.
This makes Evolution a useful example of how recycled office paper has developed beyond the rougher, lower-quality recycled sheets many people still associate with older products.
Formats & Uses
A recycled paper for different office requirements
Paper choice should be based on the job rather than simply choosing the heaviest or brightest sheet available.
Recycled Production
How recycled paper is made
Recycled paper begins with recovered paper that is collected, sorted and processed so the fibres can be used again.
The recovered material is broken down into pulp, cleaned and processed before being formed into new paper. Depending on the product and manufacturing process, additional treatment may be used to improve whiteness, smoothness and consistency.
Evolution paper has been produced using post-consumer recycled fibre, giving used paper material another useful life as a workplace product.
Print Performance
Modern recycled paper can perform like everyday office paper
One of the longest-standing misconceptions about recycled paper is that it is automatically rough, dull or more likely to jam a printer.
Modern recycled office papers are manufactured to provide a much more consistent sheet, making suitable products practical for common laser, copier and inkjet applications.
When choosing recycled copier paper, check:
- Paper size
- Weight or gsm
- Printer compatibility
- Whiteness or finish
- Recycled content
- Relevant environmental certifications
Environmental Credentials
Look beyond the word “recycled”
Recycled content is useful information, but it should not be the only factor considered when comparing paper.
Environmental labels and sourcing certifications can provide additional information about how a particular product or manufacturing process has been assessed.
Recycled vs Certified Paper
Is recycled paper better than FSC-certified paper?
They address different parts of the sustainability question. Recycled paper focuses on keeping existing fibres in circulation, while FSC certification focuses on responsible sourcing of forest-based materials.
Many workplaces use a combination of both depending on the print application. Read our FSC vs Recycled Paper guide for a fuller comparison.
Sustainable Procurement
Why businesses choose recycled office paper
Paper is a useful sustainability category because it is purchased frequently and is relatively straightforward for procurement teams to measure and review.
Bigger Picture
Sustainable printing is about more than the paper
Choosing recycled paper is useful, but reducing unnecessary printing remains just as important.
- Use duplex printing where appropriate
- Review documents digitally before printing
- Use black-and-white printing for routine work
- Avoid unnecessary duplicate copies
- Match the paper specification to the job
Our Sustainable Office Printing Strategy looks at paper, devices, print settings and waste together.
Buying Guide
Choosing the right recycled paper for your office
The best recycled paper is the one that matches the actual job. Avoid over-specifying everyday office printing when a standard sheet will perform perfectly well.
| Application | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Routine office printing | Reliable everyday weight, good printer compatibility and appropriate recycled content. |
| Client-facing documents | Consider brightness, opacity, finish and presentation. |
| Double-sided printing | Look for suitable opacity to reduce show-through. |
| High-volume use | Consistency, runnability and cost per sheet become particularly important. |
| Specialist applications | Check whether a specialist grade is required rather than standard copier paper. |
Explore Paper
Compare office paper for different print requirements
Alongside everyday recycled paper, workplaces may need different paper types for presentations, graphics, technical printing or other specialist applications.
Keep Reading
Related paper & printing guides
Final Thoughts
Recycled paper has moved on
Recycled paper no longer needs to be treated as a compromise reserved for internal documents. Modern recycled papers can provide the consistency and professional appearance many workplaces require while keeping recovered fibre in use.
Evolution recycled paper helped demonstrate how recycled office paper could move into mainstream workplace printing, but the wider lesson remains the same: choose paper according to the job, use recycled fibre where it makes sense and reduce unnecessary printing at the same time.
Make everyday office printing more sustainable
Explore everyday office paper, recycled options and specialist papers for different workplace printing requirements.
Shop Plain Paper Specialist Papers Sustainable Printing Guide
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