The world’s largest compilation of recycled and NextGen paper and packaging options available to brands and companies — the EcoPaper Database — has just been updated and expanded. This integral resource comes at a vital time as the impact of paper packaging on the world’s forests, climate, and biodiversity continues to grow. The EcoPaper Database (EPD), created by international environmental non-profit Canopy, is a listing of over 1,100 paper and paper packaging options available to help businesses reduce their impact on Ancient and Endangered Forests.
The much-anticipated update of the EPD has some exciting new elements. The 2022 database features:
- 1,169 total listings
- 510 new listings
- 507 packaging listings
- 764 products made from 100% recycled content
- 345 products made with alternative Next Gen fibre content
- Packaging and papers made from 70 different alternative fibres, ranging from wheat straw and other cereal straws, recycled textiles, flax, mushrooms, seaweed, food waste, and grass.
- A new, multi-filter function for easier and more precise searches
- Products manufactured on six continents, in 34 countries, primarily in North America, Europe, India, and China
This year’s EPD update shows a significant increase in the number of products available from Asia — 203 listings, up from 111 in the previous version. It includes 84 products from China and 72 from India.
The new EcoPaper Database also makes Superior Ranked paper easier to identify, provides references to FSC codes where available, and includes a scan for coatings with ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in food service ware as well as food contact safety compliance.
“We are proud of the fact that at Canopy, we not only collaborate with our partners to keep Ancient and Endangered Forests out of their supply chains but also provide the tools and data to find lower footprint alternatives,” said Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s Executive Director. “It’s exciting to see the EPD expand so significantly in size, geographical scope, and availability of transformative Next Gen products. Next Gen and recycled inputs are the way forward for paper and packaging — and key in taking the sourcing pressure off forests and climate whilst also reducing waste.”
“Reformation has always been supporters of Canopy, as their EcoPaper Database simplifies the complex and nuanced process of sourcing sustainable paper and packaging,” said Carrie Freiman, Senior Director of Sustainability at Reformation. “As signatories to Pack4Good, we utilize their EPD to help ensure that all of our paper packaging is free of Ancient and Endangered Forests and the database simplifies sourcing recycled paper and Next Generation Solutions as well, which is very beneficial to us.”
“It’s important to HUGO BOSS that we use the most responsible textiles and paper packaging that we can find,” said Andreas Streubig, SVP Global Corporate Responsibility & Public Affairs at HUGO BOSS. “Canopy’s EcoPaper Database provides us with a range of sustainable options on the market.”
