Greener foam-core alternatives.  Most are for model-making, but some are matte-board or MDF for mounting posters / signs on.  Not listed in any particular order.  The sources may need vetting or confirmation--feel free to edit this page with your findings.

 

Note: many of the products claim sustainability through SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certification.  That's a bullshit timber-industry standard.  The only credible, reputable standard for sustainably harvested wood products so far is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification.  However, since any 100% paper product is at least recyclable and not using styrene, it's better than traditional foam-core.  

 

 

 

Bio-Board

http://www.plyveneer.com/bioboard.html

http://www.esko.com/web/site.aspx?p=66&TestimonialID=21

 

 

Corrugated core and white paper board on the outside. 

Strong--people have made chairs & tables out of it for displays.

 

 

63% Post Consumer Waste Content

White Printable Surface

made in Oregon

 

 

Can finish edges for use as furniture or display boards: The off-the-shelf edge solution is not green but it's a simple peel and stick.  www.fastcap.com's FastEdge product.

 

 

 

 

Eco Panel

http://www.celmac.com.au/celmac_eco_panel_spec_sheet.pdf

 

 

"can be used for direct UV printing, mounting to or routed for office partitioning. According to Celmac the Eco Panel is 100 per cent recyclable and made from 40 per cent recycled paper and cardboard materials."

 

 

"The surface is a high quality Carta Solida 295 GSM clay coat suitable for all UV Flatbed printers and screen-printing, Celmac says.  ...these boards are printed directly onto by large format digital print or screen print machines or may be used as a base on which to mount pre-printed posters."

 

 

"The company adds that Carta Solida is a PEFC Certified paper, which is made from fibre that uses a combination of ECF and TCF bleaching and is derived from sustainably managed forests and non-controversial sources. [Though it doesn't say it's FSC-certified paper.]  It is manufactured by an ISO 14001 certified mill in Finland."

 

 

Australian product--long shipping.

 

 

 

 

Enviro-Corr

http://www.libertycarton.com/libertycarton/libertycarton.nsf/0/EBCDB76429FB9B06862572B3005FB0CE?OpenDocument&loc=overall∩=manufacturing⊂=manS

 

 

"Made of renewable, recyclable wood fibre", meaning that as cardboard goes, it's not very green (no recycled content, no FSC-certified wood content), but it's still better than foamcore.

 

 

Wallacks cardboard sheets

https://www.wallacks.com/catalogue/catalog.php?cat=b6&table=boards

 

 

cheap ($1/sheet, order online).  Regular cardboard but coated white so it looks good.

 

 

Crescent Cardboard mounting board

http://www.crescent-cardboard.com/pig0722.html

 

 

"Recycled Mounting Boards are made using 100% recycled paper fibers for the core and surface papers.  White two sides. Buffered acid-free surface papers. pH 8.2±.5."

 

 

Really pretty. 

 

 

Can't buy through website, but have SF area distributors:

DeltaHK Mat & Moulding Inc., in South San Francisco

http://home.att.net/~hkcompany/

Larson Juhl, in Benicia

http://www.larsonjuhl.com/

contact  Richard Harris <rharris@crescentcardboard.com> if you need more help.

 

 

 

 

Xanita

http://www.xanita.com/site/

 

 

"Xanita takes recycled kraft paper and sugar cane bagasse waste and turns it into high-strength, lightweight, non-toxic, low density fibre board, commonly specified by designers and used by exhibition and set-builders, printers, display manufacturers, joiners, furniture manufacturers, yacht builders, coffin manufacturers, shop fitters and more."

 

 

"Unlike other engineered wood which is typically dumped as landfill post-use, Xanita boards can, in their raw or industrial inkjet printed form, be disposed of as waste paper, for repulping and re-use. Xanita's proprietary closed-cell honeycomb core contains no toxic urea formaldehyde."

 

 

 

Eco Panel (MDF)

http://www.sgpweb.com/products/product.asp?pm_id=656

 

 

"The MDF substrate is composed of 82% Pre-Consumer recycled wood content (dry weight basis). The surface is composed of water base products that are solvent and formaldehyde free."

 

4x8 sheets, 3/8" or 1/2" thickness

 

 

 

 

bay area distributor: 

Sonoma Graphic Products, Inc.

http://www.sgpweb.com/contact/contact.asp

 

Can send samples.

 

they don't mail it, they deliver.

Charge $17.50 to deliver, for a single panel or a whole truck load.

 

 

 

Hexacomb Falconboard

http://www.pregis.com/PregisHome/HexacombProducts/FalconboardgraphicdisplayboardNEW/Sizes/tabid/814/language/en-US/default.aspx

 

 

Ignore the sustainability claims of the SFI certification.  That's bullshit.  Still, it's better than foamcore.  And check out the thicker grades of Hexacomb, for palettes and such--it's structural.  You could build a house out of it.  (Some people have, at Burning Man.)

 

Available in the SF Bay area at (among other locations): 

Arch Drafting (Potrero Hill by CCA) — http://archsupplies.com/