Four billion new trees are cut down every year for paper production (Ecology Global Network). Virgin paper (pre-consumer) is made using 100% brand-new pulp. The methods used to harvest trees for paper production are endangering the survival of forests all over the world. Logging companies engage in clearcutting forests, which involves the felling, and removal of all trees from a given tract of forest. Although wood is a renewable resource, clearcutting involves cutting down native forests, destroying an area's ecological integrity. This is done in order to create "tree farms" which are vast stretches of land planted with one type of tree (monoculture). To ensure that only one species of tree grows, the trees are sprayed with harsh chemicals, contaminating local waterways and communities with devastating effects on wildlife and human health. Responsible paper manufacturers establish legal or sustainable sources of wood from managed forests for long-term yield, such as FSC certified forests. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world's forests. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way. Currently, FSC is the only widely accepted international certification program among independent environmental advocacy groups.
Legally, to be labeled as "recycled", paper must include materials recovered after the initial paper manufacturing process. This could mean paper made from pre-consumer scraps, which are not recycled at all. Post-consumer waste (PCW) is paper that has already been used and returned through a recycling program, thereby diverting it from a landfill or incinerator. Each ton of 100% post-consumer recycled fiber that displaces a ton of virgin fiber saves between 12 and 24 trees (Environmental Paper Network). Recycled paper reduces energy consumption up to 70% over processing virgin pulp, and uses 55% less water to process, subsequently reduces the cumulative impacts of energy production (Treecycle).
Commonly thought of as an alternative to wood-based pulp, bamboo is a fast-growing grass with strong fibers ideal for paper. Once harvested bamboo doesn't need to be replanted, as new shoots continue to grow from the stump. Its extensive root system improves soil quality. Currently, there is no monitoring or certification system regulating the sustainability of bamboo grown for paper. Much of this bamboo is grown on converted forestland that was transformed to a monoculture plantation. There is increasing pressure to harvest wild bamboo and further endanger the animals that depend on these forests for survival. Because traditional paper pulping mills in the U.S. do not have the proper equipment for bamboo, much of this crop is pulped overseas, where environmental regulations are lacking. These mills pollute waterways with contaminants like chlorinated effluent.
The kenaf plant is considered one of the most promising alternatives to wood for paper. Indigenous to West Africa, kenaf is a member of the hibiscus family and grows well in many parts of the U.S. Kenaf has a unique combination of long bast and short core fibers which makes it ideal for paper products. Compared to a Southern Pine - a species commonly grown on tree plantations - which takes 14 to 17 years before it can be harvested, kenaf reaches 12-18 feet in 150 days and yields 3 to 5 times as much fiber (Conservatree). In addition, kenaf is resistant to most plant diseases and insects, requiring much lower levels of insect protection than for most commercial crops. Because kenaf contains less lignin, pulping requires less chemicals and less energy than wood pulping processes. Therefore, producing paper from kenaf causes less pollution.
Hemp is the common name for plants of the genus Cannabis. The term is generally used for Cannabis strains that are cultivated for industrial (non-drug) use. A common misconception is that hemp and marijuana are the same. In fact, industrial hemp and marijuana are differentiated by THC content - the THC levels in hemp are far too low to produce any psychoactive effect. Regardless, it is not legal to grow hemp in the U.S. because it is a variety of Cannabis. For that reason, hemp fiber must be imported. Hemp stalks have strong fiber, ideal for use in a wide variety of products. Because of its strong fibers, paper made from hemp is longer lasting than wood pulp and can be recycled 7 times where wood pulp can only be recycled approximately 4 times (Hemphasis). It grows without requiring pesticides or herbicides and is good at aerating the soil. One acre of hemp can produce as much usable fiber as 4 acres of trees or two acres of cotton. A quick growing plant, hemp can yield 4 times more paper pulp than trees over a 20 year period (Hempcar). Furthermore, the light colored pulp requires little or no bleaching.
In North America over 200 million tons of straw lie unused as a by-product of agricultural crops (Markets Initiative). Leftover from parts of the plant that we don't eat, this agricultural residue is dumped or burned in open fields. Selling this fiber to paper mills will reduce the air pollution caused from burning the residue. The long fibers from from corn stalks, banana bark, bagasse from sugar cane, flax, wheat, rice, barley, and oat straw can replace wood fiber for making paper.
Synthetic paper is made from plastic resins and inorganic fillers that can be easily recycled in most places by conventional methods. It can be used, recycled, and used again without compromising quality, therefore avoiding the landfill entirely. It is designed to be waterproof and rugged, resisting tears and dirt. The downside of synthetic paper is that it is essentially made from petroleum-based plastic. This does not reduce or eliminate the environmental damage caused by our dependency on oil. However, because synthetic paper is entirely inorganic, it eliminates the use of trees in manufacturing. Unfortunately, there is no evidence of any synthetic paper made from recycled plastic.
