This is Part 2 of our 2-part series on making and recycling paper — here we focus on how to become a more efficient recycler of paper products.
Nobody wants to commit tree-sin, but by receiving junk mail, reading magazines and newspapers, rendezvousing with the john, taking notes or sending packages, you’re practically doing just that: disobeying the Earth’s trust. With less than 10% of Earth’s old growth forests intact, countless waterways polluted with toxins from paper mills and looming landfills consisting of 40% paper, paper itself presents a recycling mission. This mission will help to reduce land, air and water pollution while also saving gargantuan amounts of energy and water.
To embark on this mission it is necessary to learn which paper products are/aren’t recyclable and to become your own recycling center. Begin by refusing to print unless absolutely necessary, proofreading before you print, printing on both sides of the paper, and using multiple pages per sheet (if your vision allows). Continue by making a “scrap” pile for future printing needs, cutting up white areas into squares (or circles or hearts) for quick notes, paying your bills online (and requesting no paper copies), putting your name on no junk mail lists (donotmail.org), and contacting your magazines and employers urging them to use recycled or tree-free paper with vegetable-based inks. (more)
Also, be sure to not let recycling bins meet items housing food remnants, paper cups/containers with plastic/wax liners, envelopes with non-moisture-requiring adhesives, or papers with metal based inks or holograms, as these kinds of papers are rarely recycled and make sorting difficult to complete. This rule also applies to paper towels that are seldom recycled due to their involvement with cleaning chemicals or water that have left shortened and less useful fibers as a consequence. An extra action that will greatly ease the sorting process is separating your colored and white papers before they encounter your bin. Paper clips and staples needn’t be removed (earth911.org).
Once you begin to sort your paper goods following these simple recycling steps and avoid purchasing/over-using the above-mentioned recycling failures, you will be well on your way to helping give trees a chance to exist on this planet that we all call home.
Link to Part 1 – Purchasing Better than Oak-K Papers
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