Recycled paper

Mark Vine inquired in Cons DistList Instance: 9:2 whether there was
such a thing as archival recycled paper.  Answer: yes.  Abbey
Publications (512/929-3992, fax 929-3995) has a list of permanent
papers, and half of them (175 or so) contain recycled fiber.  All
the papers, according to the manufacturers, meet the specifications
of ANSI/NISO Z39.48 - 1992.  However, as more and more paper is
recycled, and the recycled content grows, more variability in
quality can be expected. New chemicals with relatively unkown
effects on permanence are introduced yearly into papermaking and
recycling processes. Standards eliminate much, but not all,
uncertainty.

Another point: avoid papers with little specs and dots in them,
because blemishes can interfere with legibility and copyability.
(Some recycled papers are deliberately left uncleaned so that users
can recognize them as recycled.)

Yet another point: "Archival" means different things to different
people.  If you are storing photos, you want to use paper that
passes the Photographic Activity Test, and avoid glassine even if
it's acid-free.  For storing diazo or color photographic materials
you want to avoid use of paper that meets the ANSI/NISO Z39.48
standard, because a pH above 7.5 damages them.

Ellen McCrady

                                  ***
                   Conservation DistList Instance 9:8
                  Distributed: Tuesday, July 11, 1995
                        Message Id: cdl-9-8-004
                                  ***