Originally Published October 29, 2013   Current discussion surrounding the process of making paper 
shows opposing thoughts on the benefit of using recycled paper fibers rather than new wood pulp fibers. Those seeing a benefit feel use of recycled fibers is a way to protect forests; stop pollution to air, ground water, and soil; curb the recycled paper noteset release of greenhouse gases; and diminish the use of energy. Those not seeing much value argue that paper recycling itself is a source of pollution as a result of the by-products created by the de-inking process. They further argue that two-thirds of the energy used by paper mills is actually self-produced. Despite these thoughts it still stands, the paper making industry is quite harsh on the environment. Heavy use of chemicals needed in the process of reducing and bleaching wood to form the desired pulp, result in toxic by-products.
It cannot be argued that paper has come to be known as a cheap commodity coming with a high level of consumption and waste. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency website, US consumers use more than 70 million tons of paper and card board per year. Paper waste comprises about 40 percent of the total US waste and is considered a major component of our landfills. In addition to post-consumer waste, pollution from pulp presents a serious problem. With approximately 100 Paper Mills in the US, paper making is considered the third most polluting industry in North America. The paper making process consumes fresh water, pollutes the environment, emits greenhouse gases, and destroys forests. Paper production from new wood poses a significant negative impact on the environment. It requires vast amounts of water during the process of changing wood fibers to wood pulp. Chlorine-based bleaches used during paper manufacturing result in release of toxins to surrounding air, soil, and water ways. Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide (both causes of acid rain), and carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas responsible for climate change), are all released during the process. The United States EPA has found that use of recycled paper fibers results in 35 percent less water pollution and 74 percent less air pollution than making new paper. Although many mills use new technology that reduce water emissions, use of recycled paper in the manufacturing process produces less waste water and results in less solid waste than manufacturing with virgin fibers. Recycled paper used in the production of new paper decreases the demand for virgin pulp thereby reducing the overall amount of air and water pollution associated with paper manufacturing.
Using new wood for the production of paper leaves a large ecological footprint on forests. With the rise in environmental awareness due to lobbying by environmental organizations and with increased government regulation there is now a trend towards sustainability. The paper industry has seen a movement toward renewably farmed forests. It has also caused some large retail entities to reduce their sales of paper made from endangered forests and commit to offering paper products that are FSC certified. While some of the new wood used is grown in well-managed forests, too much of it is the result of illegal logging. In many locations with high conservation values, proposed new wood plantations and mills are a threat to natural habitats.
Though the paper industry is decreasing its reliance on non-sustainable resources, paper production remains energy intensive. According to the US Department of Energy, the paper making industry is the 3rd largest energy recycled paper gift wrapuser. Supporters of using post-consumer waste claim use of recycled paper to make new paper conserves energy. And in fact, the Bureau of International Recycling reports that use of recycled paper to make new pulp requires 64 percent less energy than new wood.
Despite efforts toward sustainability through renewably farmed forests and use of new technologies that reduce water polluting emissions from mills, the effects of paper production on the environment are quite damaging. Using recycled paper to make new pulp reduces the amount of product in landfills, reduces the pollution to air, soil, and ground water, uses less energy, and protects our forests.
