WWF has launched paper benchmarking tool Check Your Paper to help buyers estimate the environmental footprint of papers and allow manufacturers to demonstrate the sustainability of their products.

The tool rates the environmental quality of the paper-making process for a given product, including use of recycled fibre, fossil CO2 emissions, waste going to landfills and water pollution from mills.

The NGO said that paper products posted on the official list have been audited by third-party certification bodies to ensure high credibility.

Makers of paper products including Arjowiggins, Mondi, M-real, Lenzing Papier, SCA and Tullis Russell, which are the first to disclose their selected papers' environmental profiles at checkyourpaper.panda.org.

Rodney Taylor, forest director, WWF International, said: "We believe this new database will help paper buyers choose the most environmentally friendly papers on the market.

"WWF invites all paper buyers to check the tool before purchasing and encourage other paper makers to join Check Your Paper."

Check Your Paper includes all the main pulp and paper categories, including coated and uncoated papers, packaging and board papers.

The website was launched at Paperworld in Frankfurt last month.