7 Benefits of paper recycling

We find out how paper comes from trees. I would like to present some data and explain why it is important to recycle the paper

We ould like to present some data and explain why it is important to recycle the glass:

BENEFITS OF RECYCLING PAPER

1. Energy saving: Paper produced from recycled paper represents an energy saving of 70%[1]compared to the energy needed to produce paper from wood or virgin fibers (more than glass)
2. Reduction of the raw material consumed (trees felled): For every ton of recycled paper, the equivalent of 12 trees[2] (4m³ of wood) is saved in wood. Other sources indicate 17 trees[3] and even[4]31
3. Saving resources: By recycling, the paper-cardboard industry could be supplied with almost 69% of the resources[5]it needs
4. Water saving: Recycling paper saves 80% of water compared to production from virgin fiber
5. Improved air and water quality: Paper recycling constitutes a 74% reduction in gas emissions and a 35% reduction in water[6] polluting emissions
6. Savings in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
7. Less waste is sent to landfill or for incineration (ecopark)

Paper recycling saves a lot of energy and water, reduces tree felling (12 per ton), GHG emissions and improves air quality

Per 1 ton (1,000 kg) of recycled paper, (waste generation and increasing):

• The felling of at least 12 trees is avoided. If one person Paper comes from trees recycles all of the paper that they produce during one year, they save almost one tree from being cut down
• 4,000 KWh[7] of energy is saved
• It implies a saving of 26 m³ in water
• The equivalent of 3.5 m³ in landfill space
• In paper[8 manufacturing, each time 1 ton of virgin fibers is replaced by recycled paper and cardboard, 2.3 tons of CO₂ equivalent are saved, which would cover a distance of 13,501 km. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is one of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change
• 0.9 tons of paper[9] can be produced
• Recycling 8 cardboard cereal boxes could make a book[10]

Want to know more?

i   The book Stop garbage. The truth about recycling, Alex Pascual, February 2019

►Video: Paper recycling process (ENG)

► Paper manufacturing process (CAST)

http://www.recyclenow.com/facts-figures/how-it-recycled/paper

i Greenpeace complaint about excessive plantations of Eucalyptus in China (ENG)

http://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/campaigns/forests/problems/china-remaining-forests/

i How to reduce consumption and optimize the use and recycling of paper (CAST)

http://www.greenpeace.org/espana/Global/espana/report/other/el-papel.pdf

i Guide of good practices for the recycling of cardboard and paper by the Generalitat de Catalunya (CAT)

http://residus.gencat.cat/web/.content/home/lagencia/publicacions/centre_catala_del_reciclatge__ccr/cast_guiapapercartro_web.pdf

i More information about the FSC certificate (ENG)

https://es.fsc.org/en

[1]. Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente
[2]. Ibidem          
[3]. Bureau of International Recycling. Página web
[4]. Ibidem          
[5]. General prevention and waste management Program in Catalonia 2013-2020
[6]. Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente and boreau of International Recycling.
[7].  Bureau of International Recycling.      
[8]. “Best practices in paper and cardboard recycling in Catalonia,” AgenciaResidus de la Generalitat de Catalunyaand Gremi de Recuperació de Catalunya
[9]. Porquoi trier les ordures, Mairie du Paris
[10]. Ecoembes, Equivalence and data:www.ecoembes.es

Foto portrait by san Fitzgerald; Cardborad picture by Annie Roi