The environmental impact of paper
Although it may not seem like it, environmental impacts of paper on the planet, due to their inconsistent use, are actually causing negative effects in nature, mainly derived from the large amounts of cellulose (matter that comes from trees) that is needed for their manufacture.
Although that seems small to us thin sheet made from cellulose pulp, its importance at the state and international level is enormous from an environmental perspective.
In a generalist way and to have a global vision, we must first understand the environmental hierarchy of paper before moving on to the article.
From the previous scheme that summarizes the environmental impact of paper It is understood by PCF, it refers to the bleaching of recycled paper in its production and TCF (Totally chlorine-free production) and ECF, is free of elemental chlorine. We can learn more about the scheme from HERE.
So… How does paper affect the environment? Although his conditions are many and we are definitely not telling anything new, we can verify it before the following graph to be able to have a general idea of the impact of paper in Spain:
It belongs to the Paper Sustainability Report HERE. From Aspapel (Spanish Association of Paper, Pulp and Cardboard Manufacturers). And other information of interest about the use of wood for paper and waste management:
After testing the consequences of misuse of paper, there is no doubt that we need to use blades on a day-to-day basis, but we have many tools at hand to try reduce paper consumption or try to minimize its impact on nature, for example by using recycled sheet.
If we see the future of the paper industry on an international level. From the report The Forest Fiber Industry - 2050 Roadmap towards a low-carbon bioeconomy that you can consult HERE, it confirms that the future shows positive data from an environmental perspective, although demand will decrease:
Said report warns that the measures to apply a circular economy on the paper industry they will not be enough and which shows that a 50-60% reduction in CO2 emissions is possible under the right circumstances. However, to achieve a reduction of less than 80%, the The paper industry will need innovative technologies to improve its environmental data.
How much the paper contaminates
The use of paper is a totally democratized element that, although with new technologies and mainly thanks to the Internet, is reducing its use, it is true that sometimes we forget how much paper pollutes in nature and its impact.
So let's go over some points of interest as a reminder to see how the paper industry produces pollution, Y what are the advantages of using recycled paper in comparison, you are amazed-you laugh:
What problems does papermaking cause?
- Given the total process of obtaining one kg of recycled paper, counting from the collection of waste to the distribution of the product in establishments, approximately 1.8 kg of CO2 equivalent are emitted. In the case of virgin fiber, 3.3 kg of CO2 equivalent are emitted for every kg of paper.
- Of the total process of obtaining 1 ton of recycled paper, generally, counting from waste collection to product distribution, around 1.8 tons of CO2 equivalent are emitted.
- Currently in Spain, it is considered that an average of 160 kg of paper is consumed per user and year.
- If we look at the numbers of the paper recycling. Every ton of paper that is recycled prevents around 3.14 tons of trees from being felled, and a little more than 0.5 tonnes of oil equivalent are consumed.
- Before the paper contamination, the incorporation of recycled fibers instead of the use of virgin fibers, means emitting a total of 1.5 tons of CO2 equivalent less for each ton of cellulose pulp produced.
And we can also confirm that the recycled paper manufacturers certificate save on:
- Making recycled paper requires up to 5 times less energy than making virgin fiber paper.
- Making recycled sheets requires half as much water as making virgin fiber paper.
- The recycled sheet saves 37% of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet compared to the manufacture of virgin fiber paper.
- The virgin cellulose fiber can be reused up to 5 times - that's the 5 lives of the paper.
In order to be able to count the CO2 emissions from your paper consumption, in a general way and taking into account its entire life cycle, we can use a paper CO2 emissions calculator, in addition to knowing the equivalence in felled trees:
We can access the tool from HERE. And if we want to do it manually and see how it contaminates the paper, we will use the following data confirmed by official bodies:
- A more common sheet of paper, the 80gr / m2 DIN-A4 weighs 4.9896gr.
- 500 sheets (a package that is normally sold) weighs 2.49 kilograms. Almost two and a half kilos.
- At total process of obtaining one ton of recycled paperc, counting from waste collection to product distribution, around 1.8 tons of CO2 equivalent to Earth are emitted. In the case of virgin fiber paper, this amount rises to approximately 3 tons.
Paper saving example
- If you consume 1 Kg of paper (about 200 DIN A-4 sheets of 80gr / m2) of 100% recycled paper, you are contributing to the emission of 1.8 Kg of CO2 equivalent.
- If you consume 1 Kg of paper (about 200 DIN A-4 sheets of 80gr / m2) of virgin fiber paper, you are contributing to the emission of 3 Kg of CO2 equivalent.
- If you consume 2.5 Kg of paper (about 500 DIN A-4 sheets of 80gr / m2) of 100% recycled paper, you are contributing to the emission of 4.5 Kg of CO2 equivalent.
- If you consume 2.5 Kg of paper (about 500 DIN A-4 sheets of 80gr / m2) of virgin fiber paper, you are contributing to the emission of 7.5 Kg of CO2 equivalent.
- If you consume 500 sheets of recycled DIN-A4 paper, you will be contributing to a total of 3 kg of CO2 equivalent less for each kg of paper produced from virgin fiber.
Remember that there are different types of recycled paper depending on the amount of recycled fiber used, so you should take it into account in your calculations. There is the 100% recycled paper, but there are also papers that in their composition have a mixture of recycled paper and virgin fiber paper.
Also important is the effects oftypes of paper bleaching process about the environment, which we can see in the following diagram:
For example, IQ Triotec unique paper is made from 50% recycled fibers and 50% virgin chlorine-free bleached fibers (TCF).
How to reduce the use of paper
In this aspect, although we are going to list a series of guidelines, in reality in the end it consists of a coherence on the uses of the paper. So let's see some recommendations to save on paper that many times we forget:
What can you do
- Try avoid making unnecessary prints. Today, practically many people work with digitized documents and that we can send them online.
- You should not print the transactions made at ATMs.
- We can always choose the option of receiving information via email, both for invoices and most services.
- We should prefer electronic labels on trips, electronic tickets for concerts or all kinds of events.
- Photocopies and printers' paper should be reused using both faces.
- Use recycled paper as essential in our day to day.
Recycle your waste paper
All human activity, even that carried out in the domestic sphere, generates a large amount of waste. To waste generation by papers The emission of greenhouse gases is associated.
This happens, either directly, in landfills (emission of methane and carbon dioxide due to the decomposition of organic matter or the release of refrigerant gases from refrigerators and other cold-storage devices) or indirectly (in incineration processes, treatment , recycling or recovery).
In addition, many wastes have value as raw material for obtaining new products such as recycling examples and projects from HERE, thus avoiding the consumption of natural resources, so that their non-use also indirectly generates greenhouse gas emissions. derived from the activities of obtaining raw materials.
For this reason, segregating paper and cardboard and other waste at home, saves significant amounts of energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Uses 100% recycled and chlorine-free paper
Making paper involves a significant consumption of raw materials, water and energy that is greatly reduced if it is used paper used as raw material.
In the case of emissions, note that using recycled paper We will be contributing a total of 1.5 tons of CO2 equivalent less for each ton of paper produced.
We must be aware that we must take care of the Earth or we will have to use awareness campaigns as powerful as the following images of environmental deterioration to remember that we only have one planet Earth.
Offset your emissions
By offsetting your emissions, you can reduce your impact on the climate. It's about balancing your emissions balance by helping clean development projects, in developing countries or your own.
We must participate in a sustainable way in the development of activities that benefit everyone. You will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving the living conditions of society.
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