Paper reduction is possible. It is important that we become aware of what the use of paper means for the planet. Paper comes from cellulose from trees. This great demand for cellulose that is needed for its manufacture causes a great environmental impact with negative effects on nature.
Every year between 74,000 and 93,000 km2 of forests in the world disappear. To get a picture of what that space means, imagine the size of Portugal. Or imagine that in 1 minute 36 football fields full of trees would be cut down, according to WWF.
The less paper we consume, the less demand and the less trees will be cut down for their production. Used paper must be recycled. Trees provide us with the paper on which we print or write information, but this paper also has multiple functions for the earth’s balance. Although it may seem strange, the use of that thin and light sheet that is paper has consequences for the health of the planet and the living beings that inhabit it.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU REDUCE THE PAPER AND ITS PRODUCTION?
More earthly balance since the less paper we produce, the more trees we have on earth. These are responsible for reducing the level of carbon dioxide in the air, being one of the greenhouse gases most harmful to the health of the planet.
It benefits the energy and water savings involved in the production of paper. To make a ton of paper, between 150,000 and 190,000 liters of water are used. To produce the same amount of paper, 7000 kilowatts per hour are invested, being one of the industrial sectors that consumes the most energy.
It improves the quality of the air we breathe and reduces the risk of heart and respiratory diseases. For that reason it is commonly said that trees are the lungs of the planet, since they have a great capacity to absorb CO2. A person demands oxygen from 22 trees a day in order to live healthily.
It preserves the conservation and care of the planet’s animal and plant species that need trees for their survival. Many creatures build their habitat and shelter in trees. And also, in the life cycle of plants they need others for their existence and the felling of trees interrupts the conservation of many species.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO REDUCE PAPER CONSUMPTION?
In Spain, around 40% of articles made with paper end up in landfill, according to data from Oxfam Intermón. It is a very high figure, compared to other European countries. It is more necessary than ever to emphasize the need to reduce paper, its consumption and increase the recycling of this material once it is used.
You may be wondering, what can I do to reduce the use of paper? Here are some tips to put into practice. Keep in mind that, for one ton of recycled paper, about 18 trees on the planet are being saved.
- Ask yourself if you need to print a document before giving the order to your printer. Think before if there is the possibility of doing it in another way: Send an email, send it in digital format, recycle a paper, etc.
- Reuse the paper whenever you can. Keep in mind that a paper has two sides, so the possibilities of writing on the same support is double.
- As we have said before, a paper has two sides. If you have no choice but to print, think about doing it on both sides.
- Buy recycled paper. It is of good quality and, in addition, you will be generating awareness and responsibility in your environment.
- Reuse the paper from magazines or newspapers to cover surfaces when you need to do another activity such as painting, cleaning, moving or wrapping a gift.
- And finally, one of the most valuable tips: The use of digital media and applications. They are agile and secure ways to keep your data without using paper. There are specific applications for all needs and they allow you to store a lot of information without needing a physical space for it.
The most important of all these actions is that you will be contributing to the conservation of the forests; an infinite profit achieved with small actions that cost us very little. We invite you to share this information with all the people you know to raise awareness about the importance of caring for the lungs of the planet.