The environmental benefits of paper recycling are many. Paper recycling:
- Avoids methane emissions and lowers the energy needed to produce a variety of paper goods, so decreasing greenhouse gas emissions that may contribute to climate change.
- Increases the availability of fibre and aids in the sequestration of carbon.
- Saves a lot of landfill space.
- Reduces the use of water and energy.
- Reduces the requirement for disposal (i.e., landfill or incineration which decreases the amount of CO2 produced).
On the other side, carbon is released when trees are harvested to make paper, typically in the form of carbon dioxide. Carbon is said to be “sequestered” when the rate of carbon absorption exceeds the rate of emission. By extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, this carbon sequestration lowers the amounts of greenhouse gases.
One tonne of recycled paper would:
- You can power the typical American home for six months by conserving this much energy.
- Retain 7,000 gallons of water.
- 3.3 cubic yards of landfill area can be spared.
- Reduce greenhouse gases by one Metric Tonne Of Carbon Equivalent (MTCE).
