UK Office Direct stock and supply an wide range of office supply and stationery products, many of which are classed as environmentally friendly green office products which are identified on our website by displaying the 'recycled & enviro benefit' icon. 

An explanation of environmental classifications can be found below.

Recycled Content - If a product is partly or fully made with recycled materials, the percentage of recycled content is displayed.

Other Classifications - If a product meets one of the following standards, the classification name is displayed.

	Nordic Swan – The Swan is the official Nordic Eco-label, introduced by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Swan logo demonstrates that a product is a good environmental choice. The Nordic Eco-labelling criteria are based on evaluation of the environmental impacts during the life cycle of the product.  The inks are alcohol-based or water-based and are not hazardous to health or environment. There are also no chlorinated plastics or heavy metals in the products.
	Green Dragon – An environmental management system relevant to the specific needs of the manufacturer. Participating organisations gain recognition for effective environmental management without necessarily adopting a formal management system. The standard is made up of five steps each incorporating the key elements of Planning, Taking Action, Checking Progress and Reviewing Achievements to realise continual environmental improvement.
	FSC – The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international network to promote responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC brings people together to find solutions to the problems created by bad forestry practises and to reward good forest management. FSC policies and standards aim to make the greatest possible contribution to forest stewardship worldwide. FSC works to be recognised as the global centre of excellence in the development of international standards for forest certification.
	TCO – TCO Development is a company that leads development toward better and sustainable work environments for people working in office environments. To qualify, products must have low emissions, meet ergonomic design criteria and have minimal environmental impact.
	The Green Dot (Der Grüne Punkt) – The manufacturers of these products have paid for the collection, sorting and recycling of the product’s packaging. Most packaging is only used once, but this does not mean that it automatically becomes waste. The valuable raw materials from which packaging is produced can be used to manufacture new products. Since 1990, the Green Dot has been making sure that used packaging is collected, sorted and recovered in line with the German Packaging Ordinance.
	Fairtrade – This is an independent consumer label that guarantees a better deal for workers and producers from poor and developing countries, ensuring that workers receive a fair wage to invest in the future. Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional international trade. It is trading which aims at sustainable development for excluded and disadvantaged producers. It seeks to do this by providing better trading conditions, by raising awareness and by campaigning.
	The Rainforest Alliance – The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour by working with the people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travellers.  From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, the rainforest alliance involve businesses and consumers worldwide in efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. Promoting standards for sustainability that conserve wildlife and wildlands and ensure the well-being of workers and their communities. Farms that meet the comprehensive criteria of the Sustainable Agriculture Network earn the right to use the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal.
	Paper by Nature – The Paper by Nature Association promotes environmentally friendly practices in the paper converting industry as well as the responsible use of paper amongst consumers.  The Association has developed the Paper by Nature Eco-label whose objective it is to offer a global reference for European consumers of converted paper products.
	Maxima Green – Maxima make it easy to go green by developing a range of cost-effective, top-quality, safe, powerful professional cleaning and paper products that work for you and help save the planet. Maxima products are manufactured within ISO 14001, the highest green business standard.
	DER BLAUE ENGEL - The Blue Angel is the first and most well-known eco-label worldwide. Since 1978 it has set the standard for eco-friendly products and services selected by an independent jury in line with defined criteria. The Blue Angel is awarded to companies as kind of a reward for their commitment to environmental protection.
	Ethical Tea Partnership – is the the non-commercial alliance of major tea packing companies in the UK, Europe and North America working together for a responsible and ethical tea supply chain.  The ETP monitors the living and working conditions on tea estates, with the aim of making sure that the tea you buy from the members of the Ethical Tea Partnership has been produced in a socially responsible way.
	Nescafe Partners' – Nestles long-term commitment to developing sustainable agricultural practices and their latest initiative to help solve this longstanding problem in Ethiopia and El Salvador.