Recycled paper is certainly the ethical way to go when it comes to printing as it is a practical resource which preserves energy. Recycled paper typically uses 70% less energy than virgin paper*.

In the past recycled paper has, in quality and cost, been the poor relative when compared to virgin pulp paper, but improvements in recycled paper production and the combination of mixing virgin pulp with recycled pulp has meant that it is now almost impossible to spot the difference between the two. And because of this the cost difference has been brought down to approximately 10% difference between recycled over virgin pulp paper.

Recycled paper advantages

Every year more than 11 million tonnes of paper and board are consumed in the UK and a considerable amount of that ends up in landfill sites

The breakdown of bio-degradable substances in landfill (which includes paper) causes the production of methane gas. Methane gas remains in the atmosphere for approximately 9-15 years and is over 20 times more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, so if we can avoid putting paper into landfill we’ll be doing our bit to prevent global warming. According to the environmental charity Waste Watch for every tonne (about 2 pallets) of 100% post-consumer recycled paper purchased instead of virgin fibre paper, we save:

1. At least 30,000 litres of water.

2. 3000 - 4000 KWh electricity - enough power for an average 3 bedroom house for one year.

Much of the UK wood pulp used in the paper and board making processes comes from Scandinavia and the majority of natural forests in that area have been converted to intensively managed forests where the natural flora and fauna in that area struggle to survive. There is only about 5% of Scandinavian old-growth forestry remaining and each day more and more is being logged and as a result, hundreds of plants and animal species are becoming endangered*.

We also have to consider the increased carbon footprint to get that paper pulp from Scandinavia to the UK paper mills. Paper pulp used for recycling, particularly office paper, tends to be based around our cities. The UK could produce much more of its own paper and not have to rely on expensive imports if the market for recycled paper increased which could save us up to £800 million on balance of payments. This saving could then be reinvested into more recycling centres countrywide and publicising recycling, so that there is an increased participation by residents.

About 20-25% of paper cannot be recycled, as the fibres degenerate each time they are recycled. Typically paper can be recycled approximately 5-7 times before the fibres become too small (the smaller the fibres the lower the quality of paper produced) so we must be aware that there will always be a need for virgin pulp, although we can reduce the amount required through using recycled paper.

So - should you choose Recycled Papers?

As said before it is an ethical issue and is up to the individual or organization, but the main advantages are:

1. Reduced landfill sites- our landfills are rapidly becoming full and fewer sites are available – who would want one of these on their back door step?

2. The more we recycle the higher the demand – we currently recycle because there is an end market, if that end market is not there then we cannot recycle.

3. Paper recycling optimises the use of a valuable material and reduces the amount of virgin pulp required. Although forests are increasingly managed in a sustainable way there is a need to reduce wastage by using more recycled content.

* Source Friends of the Earth.