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Paper and the Environment
Many take for granted that paper brings greater efficiency and convenience to daily living. From the thinnest tissue, to the most absorbent diaper, to the toughest corrugated box, there are many different kinds of paper with just as many uses. Paper is ubiquitous.
Happily, unlike plastic, paper is a renewable resource. Plastics are actually quite harmful to the environment. Although they are recyclable, they emit harmful dioxins when melted down during the recycling process. Paper, on the other hand, is 100% biodegradable and therefore not harmful when recycled. Recycling is an easy, positive business practice and is good for the environment. Instead of throwing away paper waste, recycle it instead. Considering the tremendous benefits of paper, utilizing and recycling paper is more advantageous than using plastic.
The Facts: Environmental sustainability is of critical importance. As an illustration of this belief, paper companies are one of the main proponents of efforts to protect the environment. As a result, when paper is appropriately used, its environmental impact is minimal. Printers, designers and paper professionals may use a large amount of paper, ink and energy, but the industry also does a great deal to replenish the resources it uses. There is a common misconception that the paper industry is responsible for deforestation. In America, 2 in 3 people believe the wood and paper industry harvests more wood than it helps to replenish. To the contrary, the paper and wood industry accounts for a majority of the trees planted nationally. Each day, up to 1.7 million trees are planted, totaling 263 million trees per year. These 263 million trees per year more than make up for what is harvested by the paper industry. There is therefore no reason to fear using paper products. Using paper supports the industry which in turn supports sustainable forestry.
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