Houston Regional Group - News

Protecting forests can be accomplished in many ways. Recycling wood fibers (reusing paper products) is one of those ways. Recycled paper, in comparison to virgin paper (paper made from trees) does the following:

1) Reduces the amount of forest logged 2) Uses less energy 3) Uses less bleach in the paper-making process 4) Results in less toxic air pollution 5) Reduces water used 6) Reduces wastes that are incinerated or land-filled

When you compare the benefits of recycling one ton of 100% post consumer copy paper with one ton of 100% virgin copy paper the following results:

1) 24 trees are saved (3 tons of wood) 2) 17 million BTUs of energy are saved 3) 2,108 pounds of global warming carbon dioxide (CO2) gases are not released 4) 8,750 gallons of wastewater are not discharged 5) 1,124 pounds of solid waste are not created

Printing and office paper make up 25% of all paper production in the United States. Less than 6% of printing and office paper has recycled fibers. This means that over 90% of printing and office paper has no recycled fibers.

Industrialized countries make up 20% of the World's population but consume 87% of the printing and writing paper. By doing our share we not only protect forests but we do not hoard the World's natural resources for ourselves. In the United States less than 5% of old growth forests are left. Cutting down forests causes 25% of the global warming emissions caused by humans each year.

By using recycled fibers for pulp to make office and printing papers we reduce our use of wood from 4.4 tons to 1.4 tons per ton of pulp made. We reduce the logging of forests; turning those forests into monoculture (one species) tree plantations; and destruction of forest ecosystems, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity by using recycled fibers. This makes even more sense when we understand that 90% of paper products are discarded within one year of purchase.

When you need printing or office paper look for and buy the highest content of post consumer recycled paper you can find. Ask the stores you frequent to carry more and higher content recycled paper and buy that paper. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, and others about recycled paper and urge them to do their part. We all can make our world a little more green breathable. Let's do it!

This article is based on information found in "Understanding Recycled Fiber" by the Environmental Paper Network, June 2007.

September 2007

Last updated:  07/08/2007.   Content © 1999-2007 by the Sierra Club.