Paper and Recycling Facts
- About 35% of municipal solid waste (before recycling) by weight, is paper and paper products
- Every ton of paper recycled saves more than
- 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space
- 17 trees 6,953 gallons of water
- 463 gallons of oil
- 587 pounds of air pollution
- 4,077 Kilowatt hours of energy
Recycling has been a common practice throughout human history. In pre-industrial times, scrap made of bronze and other precious metals was collected in Europe and melted down for perpetual reuse.
In 2005, a record 51.5 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. (51.3 million tons) was recovered for recycling. Paper recovery now averages 346 pounds for each man, woman and child in the United States.
More than 36% of the fiber used to make new paper products in the United States comes from recycled sources.
The U.S. EPA has found that recycling causes 35% less water pollution and 74% less air pollution.
It has been estimated that recycling half the world’s paper would avoid the harvesting of
20 million acres of forestland.
The average per capita paper use in the USA in 2001 was 700 pounds. The average per capita paper use worldwide was 110 pounds.
Paper products are the largest component of municipal solid waste, making up more than 40% of the composition of landfills. In 2006, a record 53.4% of the paper consumed in the U.S. (or 53.5 million tons) was recovered for recycling. This is up from a 1990 recovery rate of 33.5%. The U.S. paper industry has set a goal to recover 55 percent of all the paper consumed in the U.S. by 2012.
Almost all paper can be recycled today, but some types are harder to recycle than others. Papers coated with plastic or aluminum foil, and papers that are waxed, pasted, or gummed, are usually not recycled because the process is too expensive. Gift wrap paper also cannot be recycled. Different types of paper are usually sorted before recycling, such as newspapers and cardboard boxes.
Different grades of paper are recycled into different types of new products. Old newspapers are usually made into new newsprint, egg cartons, or paperboard. Old corrugated boxes are made into new corrugated boxes or paperboard. High-grade white office paper can be made into almost any new paper product: stationery, newsprint, magazines, or books.
Why recycle? Biodegradable Facts
Light, water and bacterial activity are required for biodegradable materials to break down. Landfills do not provide these, thus material that is inherently very biodegradable in nature will not be in a landfill. For example, a newspaper left out as litter will break down in 2-5 months, but left in a landfill it will take 150 times longer. An anthropological study called “The Garbage Project," conducted by a group at the University of Arizona, has unearthed hot dogs, corn cobs, and grapes that were twenty-five years old and still recognizable, as well as newspapers dating back to 1952 that were still easily readable.
Here's how long it takes for some commonly used products to biodegrade, when they are scattered about as litter:
The lesson here is not to condone littering, but how important it is to recycle. Composting is another way you can help. Discrete containers are available (visit compostguide.com). And just think, you’ll never have to buy fertilizer again.
Recycled paper quality matched virgin paper
Improvements in the quality of the recycled paper currently available means that their quality and performance is equal to that of virgin paper. You do not have to sacrifice quality to save the environment.
Sources:
www.afandpa.org American Forest and Paper association
www.worldwise.com Worldwise
www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia
www.environmentaldefense.org Environmental Defense
