Unfortunately, paper isn't as sustainable as we thought. The whole life-cycle of paper is quite harmful to the environment. Here is why and 15 ways you can rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, or recycle to save paper every day.
According to TheWorldCounts, a staggering "40% of the world’s commercially cut timber is used for the production of paper." Paper production is greatly encouraging deforestation, which has devastating effects on the environment.
Additionally, large amounts of energy, chemicals, and water are needed during production. Making the industry the 3rd largest polluter of air, soil, and water.
To produce a singular A4 sheet of paper a staggering 10 litres of water are needed. After production polluted water returns to the environment. Pollutants such as lignin, alcohol, chelates, chlorine, and metal can ultimately end up in our foods and bodies.
Overall, the paper industry uses 4% of the world's energy and is, therefore, the 5th largest consumer of energy in the world.
With a growing population, paper use is expected to double in the next 10 years.
1. Switch to a digital newspaper or magazine
75'000. That's the number of trees needed to print a Sunday edition of the New York Times. And that's only one of the 18'000 newspapers in the world. Newspapers, as well as magazines, can be read online as a digital version. Although being able to flick through the pages is nice, isn't it nicer to enjoy your newspaper with a clean conscience.
2. Use your phone for the better
Since we take our phones everywhere anyway we could start making our to-do lists and shopping lists on our phone and save some paper. To avoid the use of post-it notes you can use the application Reminders.
3. Switch to recycled toilet paper
Yearly a staggering 22 billion rolls of toilet paper are used in Europe alone. Toilet paper is not something we want to live without, but we can still save paper by buying recycled toilet paper from companies such as who gives a crap. Another way you can save paper is by buying double length. This way a roll lasts twice as long and therefore 50% fewer cardboard tubes go to waste.
4. Buy recycled paper
This is such a simple swap. Instead of buying virgin paper choose the recycled version. By making this switch you conserve natural resources by reducing the amount of trees cut down to produce paper. The manufacturing process of recycled paper also causes 73% less air pollution than virgin paper production, as less energy is required and less water is used.
5. Use your local library
Instead of spending money on buying new or second-hand books, you can borrow them from your local library. They might not have that new book smell, but this practice is much better for the environment and your pockets.
6. Request paperless billing
Paperless billing is when you receive bills electronically usually via email. If you're a bit sceptical of this concept here are the Pros and Cons of Paperless Billing Statements.
7. Rethink gift wrapping
Sadly, most gift wrapping is not recyclable. According to Megan Malone: "If wrapping paper is metallic, has glitter on it, or has a texture to it, it is not recyclable." However, the non-laminated wrapping paper is recyclable and, therefore, a more sustainable option. But you can skip buying paper wrapping all together by using old newspapers or magazines, towels or you can re-use gift bags you received from others.
8. Refuse receipts
Most retail store workers will ask whether you want the receipt. If you don't need the receipt try it as receipts are not recyclable. This is a really simple way to reduce your paper waste.
9. Unsubscribe to junk-mail
Sign on your letterbox saying no junk-mail don't seem to work. But you can stop junk-mail right at the source and make sure it never even gets sent off. Here's How to Stop Junk Mail.
10. Refuse paper bags
Just like we avoid single-use plastic bags we should avoid single-use paper bags. Although the paper option seems more environmentally friendly its production requires twice the energy used to produce a plastic bag. But, this doesn't make a plastic bag any better. We should steer clear of single-use in general.
11. Don't wrap flowers
It might be nice to present someone with a bouquet that is beautifully wrapped. But the reality is the wrapping will ultimately end up in the bin, most of the time even as soon as the flowers are put in a vase.
12. Only print what is necessary
First, think do I need to print this? Do I need all of it or just one page? This will already save paper. But sometimes, you need to collaborate on a project in which case exchanging ideas and documents is important. For this, you can try using software such as Google Docs, OneNote or Dropbox to share the document. If you don't have these programs you can share the document via USB stick or simply email it. If there is absolutely no way of getting around printing something at least print double-sided and make the margins as small as possible. This way you can more than halve your paper usage.
13. Re-use scrap paper
Scrap paper is great for scribbling down notes quickly and without guilt, as you're not wasting paper.
14. Use a reusable cup
The negative environmental impact of takeaway coffee cups is not news to us. They are not recyclable and therefore single use. A reusable cup, when used time and time again, is a much more sustainable option.
15. Recycle
If there is absolutely no way of refusing or reusing paper make sure it is recycled!