Tree-based paper production

Paper products are the single biggest component of waste disposal sites. Tree-based paper production, consumption and waste disposal have environmental and social costs. On the environmental side pulp and paper manufacture is among the world's largest generator of air and water pollutants, waste products, and the gases that cause climate change. Paper production is also one of the largest users of water, energy and forest fibres. Softwood plantations often use toxic chemical herbicides and fertilizers. This has both environmental and social costs. Other social costs incurred in the paper production cycle are impacts on health, well-being and stability of local communities. Industrial nations with 20 percent of the world's population consume 87 percent of the world's writing and printing papers.

Forestry Impacts. The ever increasing demand for paper has lead to continuing loss of diverse, natural forests, with the accompanying loss of biodiversity, lower quality habitat and water quality, and poorer soil productivity than natural forests.

Water Impacts. Tree-based paper production is one of the biggest users of industrial water.

Energy. Tree-based paper production is an energy intensive industry, using over 10 percent of all energy consumed in the industrial sector in industrial countries.

Air and Water Pollution. Air pollution in the form of chemical emissions, from the cycle of tree-based paper production is among the top three in the industry sector. Water pollution from chlorine bleaching paper mills includes dioxins and hundreds of other organochlorines. Once in the water they can bioaccumulate ie are passed up the food chain to fish-eating birds, and mammals including humans.

t is undeniable that paper and paper products are beneficial to our lifestyle, but our demand for paper and the unacceptable large ecological footprint, we need to take more action to change current systems. We can reduce our demand for paper and paper products. We can reuse our paper as many times as we can. We can ensure that what paper we use is recycled. We can support alternative paper production ie non tree-based paper production.