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.
RECYCLING
Paper… made from renewable materials - woodpulp and recovered paper
Paper used for printing and packaging is one of the world’s truly sustainable products, for not only is it produced using a completely Renewable resource in timber, but it is also a product that is completely Recyclable and therefore, Reusable.
At a time when consideration must be given to conserving the earth’s valuable resources, isn’t it good to know that by using paper for your printed and packaging needs that you are contributing to the sustainable cycle that is paper. Consider these facts:
- In 2007 Australians recycled 3.032 million tonnes of paper and cardboard, equivalent to 72.5% of our consumption; amongst the world’s highest.
- Although completely recyclable, not all paper is recycled. About 20% of paper consumed cannot be recycled due to food contamination, personal hygiene use, archiving, or stored in books etc.
- In Europe, well known for having well established recycling disciplines, between the year 2000 and 2007, the growth in the paper recycling rate was double the paper consumption growth rate.
- Of commonly used products such as steel, glass, plastics, and computers, paper has by far the highest recycling rate.
- The Australian Council of Recyclers (ACOR) reports that 61.5% of fibre used to make new paper and packaging board in Australia is derived from recycled paper and board.
- Owing to fibre deterioration paper can only be recycled for re-use between 3 – 5 times, with new virgin fibre needed to be continually added. If this wasn’t the case the world would run out of paper as the recycled fibre became unusable and incapable of being used to produce new paper.
- Like all wood and timber products, including paper, even paper collected and recycled to produce new paper continues to store carbon in the fibre, helping to reduce Green House Gas emissions and in extending the product lifecycle and in prolonging the environmental benefits.
- Even when paper ends up in landfill sites, paper has low toxicity and continues to lock up carbon for an extended period, with some studies suggesting that this is up to 30 years and longer.
Brochures for download:
Paper - recycling… the facts (press ready PDF)
