a resource dedicated to providing
information on the environmental sustainability of the paper, print and
associated industries in Australasia.
information on the environmental sustainability of the paper, print and
associated industries in Australasia.
PULP & PAPER
Modern pulp and paper making is sustainable and uses state of the art technology and manufacturing techniques, which have significantly reduced its environmental footprint. As verification of the progress made, we encourage you to consider the following points:
- Over a number of years the list of United Nations 100 most sustainable industries has included 8 pulp and paper companies – the highest representation of any industry group.
- Pulp and paper manufacturers increasingly use bio-fuels (bio-mass and hydro) to generate energy, which is up to 46% of their energy needs. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions caused by fossil fuel generated energy.
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) established that the pulp and paper industry whilst being energy intensive is NOT carbon intensive due to its significant use of biomass for energy production.
- Energy consumption per tonne of paper produced has reduced by 21% since 1990.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions per tonne of paper produced have also reduced by 22% since 1990.
- Water consumption per tonne of paper produced has reduced by 63% since 1990, and is recycled within the manufacturing process up to 5 times before being cleaned and returned to the environment. Often cleaner than at the time of first entering the paper mill.
- The amount of wood needed to produce a tonne paper has been lowered considerably by up to 40% due to the use of organic and mineral fillers and coatings.
- The pulp and paper industry worldwide has adopted either Total Chlorine Free (TCF) or Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching processes which have significantly reduced or negated the use of toxic chemicals, and the corresponding harmful emissions.
- On average it takes 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity to produce 200 kgs of paper; the average consumption of each Australian per annum. Does that sound a lot? It’s the equivalent to:
- Powering one computer continuously for 5 months
- Burning a 60 watt light globe continuously for one year
- The equivalent to energy consumed by a typical household
- leaving its electronic equipment on stand-by for 12 months
