What’s the big deal about Paper?

We, in the UK, really like our paper.

We like our paper white and bright and ready for anything but, have you ever thought of the problems this could be causing for the environment?

• Everyone in Britain uses about 6 trees worth of paper every year.
• This is six times more paper than fifty years ago.
• Every fifth tree world-wide is used to make paper.
• Most paper in the UK has been imported, which adds to transport pollution.
• Making paper uses lots of energy; producing a tonne of paper requires the same energy as producing a tonne of steel.
• New paper is often white, not because this is paper's ‘natural’ colour but because it is bleached. The bleach used in making white pulp can cause appalling water pollution.
• Toxic wastes such as dioxin are amongst the other wastes discharged from pulp mills. Yet until recently there was little control of the waste being discharged.
• Additionally, although we can recycle paper, and the amount being recycled has increased, more than half of all paper used is still thrown away.
• That means that if you check out your own dustbin, on average 30% of it is paper and card.
• That is two trees' worth of paper waste each year just for you!

So what can you do?

People believe we could cut the amount of paper we use world wide by about a half. If we did this it would save us all money and it would be better for the environment. But how can we do this? Below are a few ideas. See if you can think of extra ones.

• Reuse pieces of paper, make sure you use both sides of the paper.
• Only cut enough paper for your needs.
• Waste paper can be shredded, reconstituted or easily treated to use as
  • animal bedding
  • fuel logs and pellets
  • insulation in the home.
• Why not try making papier mache or make your own recycled paper?

It is also important that we always try to use unbleached, recycled paper.

Recycling Paper

Currently less than 50% of paper used is recycled. By increasing the volume of recycled paper we could help to reduce the pressure on the world's valuable timber resources.

Interesting things you should know about recycled paper

• The manufacture of recycled paper uses only half the amount of energy and water used in making new paper.
• Recycled paper has to be de-inked and then chemically treated to separate the fibres.
• Different grades of waste paper have different recycling values: waste paper from offices, which is high-quality paper and only lightly inked, is particularly valuable.
• Recycled paper tends to be slightly grainy and grey or light green. There is no need to use bright-white paper when a high quality recycled paper could easily be substituted for most uses.
• The more recycled paper we want to buy, the more cost effective it becomes.

What do you put down the toilet?

• Do you like nice soft toilet paper?
• Do you complain if you get the cheaper recycled type?

Well, did you know that to get the softness of ‘luxury’ toilet paper companies have to cut down new trees, often from important areas for wildlife.

This is because for the paper to be soft the wood fibres must be at their longest and as you recycle paper the wood fibres get shorter and the paper gets rougher.

Most other paper can be recycled, but toilet paper only goes down the loo.

The only way it gets recycled is as part of sewage sludge which might get used as fertiliser.

So, in order for you to have nice toilet paper, conservation suffers. Is this really the best use for brand new trees? Why not look out for recycled toilet paper instead – or make your own?