Recycle paper is one of the most recommended activities in the world of 3R. We can say with total certainty that the consumption of paper does not stop growing continuously throughout the world. Despite the fact that many people already buy books in online format and try to save on paper through emails, PDF presentations, etc. Paper consumption remains high. It is a material that is obtained through the cellulose sheets of trees. This means that, in order to use paper, you have to cut down trees. If this logging is not controlled and it is not a sustainable activity, we will be bringing ecosystems to deforestation.
In this article we are going to show you how to recycle paper and what use it can be to reduce the use of this material in your day-to-day life.
The environmental cost of paper consumption
Keep in mind that not 100% of the tree that is felled to make paper is completely useful. It is estimated that more or less 40% of the wood that is felled is used in the manufacture of paper. Later, when this material ends up in our hands, it is wasted year after year without anyone being able to stop this unsustainable consumption. This fact of cutting down trees and then wasting the paper that is manufactured can end if we learn to recycle paper.
The development and nature of forests is closely related to the manufacture of paper. An area where more paper is used will have higher rates of tree felling. The paper industry is among the largest destroyers of forests on the planet. In addition, not only is wood needed to make paper, but it also requires a large amount of water, energy and, during its manufacture, pollutants are emitted from both effluents and gases.
So they can get an idea, the pulp and paper industries are ranked number 5 in the industries that require the most energy and the most water per ton of product produced. In addition, they are among the industries that produce the most air and water pollutants. Among these pollutants are the greenhouse gases that are causing climate change.
Estimates tell us that 40% of the world's timber is used for paper production. Of that percentage, 25% is directly used to make paper and the other 15% for sawmill, boards and other by-products. Among the production of paper we find that the sources of raw material are:
- 17% comes from primary forests (virgin forests).
- 54% secondary forests.
- 29% of forest plantations.
Paper consumption
As you can see from the above percentages, virgin forests that have not been exploited or touched by human hands are being cut down just to make paper. Many times we take a sheet of paper, write something and if it goes wrong, we end up tearing the sheet of paper and throwing it in the trash. In addition, in universities a large amount of paper is spent both for exams, as well as for practicals, work, reports, notes, etc. The waste is incredible.
In some places, they try to plant fast growing trees to manage them and to get paper from there. The problem is that these planted trees are replacing forests and natural ecosystems, and toxic herbicides and fertilizers are used to ensure growth. These chemicals are harmful to the ecosystem and end up being even more damaged.
On the other hand, the process that involves the bleaching of paper requires the use of harmful products such as chlorine and other derivatives. Among the waste generated in this process, we find organochlorines such as dioxins that seriously affect the health of citizens and the planet in general.
In Spain a lot of paper is wasted. In 2012, consumption per inhabitant and year was 170 kg. This figure has been increasing since these years, although it is still far from the 206 kg in the United Kingdom or the 225 kg in Germany. Although in Spain less paper is consumed than in other countries, it must be taken into account that 40% of it is completely wasted.
How to recycle paper
In order to recycle paper at home, you need a series of materials. Although certain processes such as paper whitening cannot be done and, therefore, many of the aspects are uglier (such as the color that is more brown instead of white), you can make recycled paper at home. If you are one of those people who use a large amount of paper to make notes, notes, etc. You can use recycled paper and not waste folios whose manufacture comes from pollution and tree felling.
The materials you will need are:
- Blender
- Water
- Small pieces of disposable paper
- Paper towels or washcloths
- Roller
- Newspaper or cardboard
- Large container
- Wire mesh or similar
Now we are going to analyze step by step so that, with these materials, you can learn to recycle paper.
- As a source of raw material, use old paper that you don't need or that you were going to throw away. They must be totally clean, without food scraps or other residues.
- Break them up into smaller chunks to make them more manageable and soak them in a bucket of water overnight. In this process, the paper is cut in half. That is, if you have used 2 kg of paper, you will have 1 kg left.
- We put two parts of water for each one of paper in a blender and blend until obtaining a product as if it were a sauce.
- We spread the mixture on the wire mesh and add dried leaves, flowers or spices, if we want.
- We pass a roller to remove excess water and we pass the dry sponge that will help to absorb all the water.
- We turn the wire mesh down to leave the recycled paper on the cardboard or newspaper that serves to finish drying the paper.
I hope that with these tips you can learn to recycle paper.