Save Paper, Save Trees

Paper is a very important material used in our daily life. It is used in variety of ways. Whilst among many uses, the paper is chiefly used for the purpose of writing and printing.

The word paper derives from the Greek word ‘Papyrus‘ (Egyptian writing material) which was formed from beaten strips of papyrus plant.

Paper is made of cellulose pulp, derived mainly from wood, rags, and certain grasses processed into flexible sheets by deposit from an aqueous suspension.

Uses of Paper:

Paper can be used in various ways, such as for communication, storing information, cleaning, construction, representing a value, packaging, and personal use etc.

Paper making products:

Paper gives us lot of useful products. Here a list of common products made from paper is:

  • Books
  • Notebooks
  • Report cards
  • Greeting cards
  • Menu cards
  • Paper-bags
  • Paper money
  • Medical chart
  • Bandages
  • Envelopes
  • Tarpaper
  • Sand paper
  • Wrapping papers
  • Paper boats
  • Paper airplanes
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines
  • Catalogs
  • Wallpaper
  • Photographs
  • Playing cards
  • Stickers
  • Telephone directories
  • Disposable items
  • Stationery
  • Table -cloths
  • Grocery-bags
  • Kites
  • Tissue paper
  • Bank notes
  • Tickets
  • Cheque
  • Security voucher

Why recycle paper?

Paper recycling is the process of collecting, processing, reusing and recovering the waste paper and remaking into new products rather than throwing it away in the trashcan which in turn, conserves raw materials and energy that needs to make new products.

Did you know if each individual save one sheet of paper per day, then 40,000 trees are saved per year.

Saving paper, in turn, saves trees, saves energy, saves water, chemicals utilized in making of paper, and also reducing garbage.

We should start the process of recycling the waste material from home first rather than what others are doing outside and continue it as it helps to control waste disposal problems, and also saves money that they would otherwise have spend for disposal.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that recycling of paper causes 35% less water pollution, and 74% less air pollution than making new paper and paper products.

Industrialized making of paper is de-stabilizing our earth’s climate and reusing and recycling of paper can help to stabilize and conserve our environment to a great extent.

Recycling is the only key to cut down the amount of waste, to reduce pollution, to save renewable energy, to save trees, and to save money. But before we thinking about recycling anything, the very best thing we can do for health and well being of our planet to use less resource in our daily life.

Recycling of paper could save seventeen trees, causing reduction of 587 pounds of air pollution, 15,644 liters of water, in turn, reduces 58%of air pollution, 4077 kilowatt of energy, thereby reducing energy requirement by 64%, 1042 liters of oil, reducing oil pollution by 64% and oil requirement by 45%. About 55% of municipal waste is paper and paper products before recycling. Recycling one ton of newspaper reduces 3cubic meters of landfill.

Millions of people buy newspaper daily and simply throw away in the trashcan after reading it out without knowing the fact, that it takes 24 trees to make one ton of newspaper.

Recovered paper must be clean for successful recycling. It should be free from contaminants, such as food, dirt, plastic metal, and other kinds of trash, as contaminated paper makes the process of recycling quite difficult. Contaminated paper which cannot be recycled must be composted, burned for energy or land filled in order to reduce the bulk of garbage around us.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle is a simple and great way to cut down the amount of paper use. Practicing these 3R’s also helps in saving our energy and protecting our environment.

HOW PAPER WASTE CAN BE REDUCED:

It is important to realize our responsibilities how to make our planet green and better place for our future generation to live in. Concerted efforts need to make in this direction before it is too late. By adopting the following ways helps to reduce the paper consumption, which in turn, saves trees and reduces the greenhouse gases emission.

  • Companies can save significant sums on printing costs by publishing reports electronically rather than on paper.
  • Use mobiles or e-mails for communication purposes instead of sending letters.
  • Create best out of waste also helps to control and manage waste better thereby, reducing the impact on our environment as well as our health.
  • Use durable items rather than disposable items, as it stays longer and can also save money and minimize the amount of waste. Repair the things rather than buying new items also reduces the amount of waste.
  • Use both sides of paper for printing.
  • Recycle newspaper by turning them into something useful, instead of discarding it away. It also reduces the amount of materials going into landfills.
  • Send get well soon cards and greeting cards on special occasions over the Internet.
  • On average, 16% of the money we spend on packaging which ultimately ends up as rubbish. So avoid over packaging goods.
  • Use coffee mugs for your tea or coffee instead of paper cups at work place.
  • Use unbleached or uncolored paper in bulk to reduce packaging.
  • Buy paper that has minimum chlorine content.
  • Stop printing whenever possible.
  • Reduce font size while printing.
  • Books, which you need no longer, and are in a good condition, donate to the library. These in turn, raise the money for the library to buy new items.
  • Get and pay your bills online rather than through the post.
  • Let your child to use white/black board for writing rather than paper. This way they can rub off what they do not need which in turn; lot of papers can be saved.
  • Watch the news on television, or you can read the news online instead of buying newspaper. This helps to kill paper waste instead of trees.
  • If you wish to create an eco-friendly atmosphere in the office, then go paperless.
  • Use cloth napkins in place of paper napkins, as they are more hygienic and also minimize the paper waste.
  • Place your orders by phone, e-mail or online.
  • Keep recycling bins on the roads; at the railway station, or bus stand where people can drop off the waste materials, or you can directly deliver it to the recycling center.
  • Use cloth bags instead of paper bags to carry the items you buy.
  • Use unused side of paper for jotting down the notes before dropping it in the recycling box.

We are using and wasting paper almost without care, and without realizing that how severe the consequences could be. It is need to think – “AS YOU SOW, SO SHALL YOU REAP“. Let’s do our part to save our mother earth from getting it more spoiled and make it greener, cleaner, and better place for future generation to enjoy.

Spread the word“GO GREEN, AND LIVE GREEN.”