You are reading part 6 of 8 of the Myths Vs. Facts About Paper, Printing, and the Environment series. To view the full series, please read Myth vs. Fact Part One: The Paper and Packaging Industry is Destroying Forests.

There are a lot of misconceptions about Paper. Our landfills are filling up fast, and it’s mostly with paper, right? Wrong. Most paper isn’t recycled, right? Wrong. Paper recycling isn’t all that efficient, right? Wrong.

The Myth: Print and paper are inherently wasteful

The Fact: Paper is one of the most recycled products on the planet.

One of the key environmental attributes of paper is that it can be easily recycled and used to make new products. Since tracking paper recovery rates began back in the 1990s, paper recycling has increased dramatically. We’re not only recovering more, but we now know how to get the most environmental and economic benefits from using recycled paper in new products. In addition to the sustainable advantage of being made from a renewable resource, paper and its supporters are leading the way when it comes to implementation of effective recycling and the minimization and eventual elimination of print and paper waste in landfills.

Recycling Paper IS Sustainable

• In 2013, 50 million tons or 63.5% of the paper used in the United States was recovered for recycling. This is far higher than the 28% of glass and 9% of plastic recovered. In Canada 73% of the paper is recovered.

– AF&PA, 2015; U.S. EPA, 2015; Forest Products Association of Canada, 2014

• Worldwide recovered paper demand will increase by approximately 40 million tonnes from 2012 to 2016. Most of the new demand growth will be in developing countries, with China accounting for about 60% of expansion.

– RISI, 2012

• In 2012, the average global recovery rate of paper products was 57%. For corrugated cardboard it was 84%, old newsprint and magazines, 67% and paper overall 36%.

– RISI, 2012

• All available recovered fiber is currently being used in the global marketplace. Recovered paper is sold to the highest bidder and shipped all around the world. In fact, many Canadian companies backhaul waste paper from the U.S. in the same trucks that deliver new paper to their American customers.

– Forest Products Association of Canada, 2012

What to Expect Next in the Environmental Paper Series (7 of 8)

Do people want to make a complete switch digital communication? Find out in the next installment of the Environmental Paper Series. Check back at fssi-ca.com to follow this series or explore more blog posts.

FSSI

FSSI is a national, WBE-Certified document outsourcing company that was among the first print-mail outsourcing companies to integrate sustainability practices into regular business operations. FSSI has recycled or responsibly disposed of tons of reusable waste including paper, wooden pallets, electronics such as computers monitors, and other office equipment. For its work in reducing energy consumption, the company earned Trane North America’s “Energy Efficiency Leader Award.” FSSI also participates in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), keepers of the world’s largest corporate emissions and climate change database, and recognized leader in greenhouse gas reporting. Visit the sustainability practices page on FSSI’s website to learn more about its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Sources

Two Sides U.S., Inc. (2013). Print and Paper Myths and Facts [Brochure]. Author. Retrieved from http://www.twosidesna.org/

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