Updated Paper Calculator Helps Businesses Better Understand

(Washington, DC – May 14, 2009)  Today’s re-launch of the Paper Calculator includes the most up-to-date scientific information about the environmental impacts of paper production and disposal.  Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today announced a comprehensive update to the underlying data of this interactive tool that remains popular with thousands of companies across the country.

The Paper Calculator, available at PaperCalculator.org, helps businesses and individuals quantify the benefits of better paper choices by showing the full lifecycle impacts of different papers.  The latest version of the Paper Calculator features a number of improvements to enhance its accuracy and fully reflect the lifecycle of paper products.  These updates include the impacts of fillers and coatings, methane release from decomposing paper in landfills, electricity cogeneration and national recycling rates.

“Time and again, businesses have praised the Paper Calculator for helping them quantify the environmental benefits of smart paper choices,” said Gwen Ruta, vice president of corporate partnerships at EDF.   “By regularly updating the underlying data of this tool, thousands of users can be assured that they are making the best purchasing decisions for the environment - and their businesses.”

Since its debut in 2005, the Paper Calculator has proven to be a robust tool for a wide range of users, from corporate purchasers to NGOs to paper suppliers and merchants, with nearly 27,000 uses in the past year.  By showing the environmental impacts of different papers across their full lifecycle, the Paper Calculator is the most comprehensive tool available to help companies quantify the many benefits of better paper choices.

For more on how paper selection impacts businesses and the environment, as well as valuable content, practical yet impactful tools and a dynamic online community to help you improve both your company and the planet, visit the EDF Innovation Exchange.

Rachel Beckhardt, Paper Calculator Project Manager at EDF, and Greg Schivley, Environmental Engineer with Eastern Research Group, will be hosting a webinar at 11:00 am (EDT) with an inside look at what changes have been to the Paper Calculator and to answer questions.