Paper Recycling is it a Waste of Time? The Myths and Legends Exposed

Today we notice that our natural resources do have boundaries and sustainable alternatives must be implemented to give protection to the world’s environment. Recycled paper is employed generally in products today. Papers, mags, books catalogues, direct mail, tissue and towel products, packaging products and more use recycled paper. Still, there are several legends surrounding recycling and recycled paper. The first myth is that recycled papers do not have a professional appearance. The movement to reuse paper and produce products is basically an effort to cut back the amount of pricey, disposable waste.

When we opt to use recycled paper for our companies and houses, we do not have to sacrifice quality. Recycled paper is widely available in numerous prime quality grades meeting the same technical directions as virgin (tree) paper. The standard of recycled paper has improved seriously over time, so that it performs well in office copiers, facsimile machines, printers and printing machines. Believe it or not, the first paper mill came from the U.S. Colonies in 1690 close to Philadelphia, and operated as a recycling mill. The paper mill made paper from recycled cotton and rags.

It wasn’t until the 1800s that paper makers learned to make paper from trees. Back then paper makers thought the resources of the forest were limitless and capable of consistently replenishing itself. Today sadly, giant tracts of forest are being cleared for uses like in paper, and not reforested. This makes a contribution to global temperature rises. Also, placing paper in a dump is a threat to the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that virgin paper decomposition in landfills is an example of the most important sources of methane.

In addition the use of recycled papers saves on energy, water, plus it reduces pollution and decreases pressures on our declining forests. You can simply find a selection of quality and grades available. You will find paper made just for business cards, letterhead, and leaflets, tissue and towel papers and more just as simply in recycled paper products.

Recycled-paper is commonly cost-comparative to virgin paper, but might be a touch more dearer. Some folk say that it isn’t making sense to buy recycled products because they cost more. In the examples where recycled paper does cost more than virgin paper, the median cost difference is usually around ten to 20-percent. The amazing advantages to the environment outweigh this cost difference in the final analysis, and do not forget that there’s real price to your green / environmental credentials in the eyes of your readers.

Well, next comes the idea that you may compromise quality when you use recycled paper products. I do accept that when recycled paper was first introduced, it was famous for being discolored and uneven in texture and appearance.

Today’s recycled paper products with high recycled content, and even 100-percent post customer content are similar in quality to virgin paper products. The progress of paper recycling has some way to go yet. Basically post-consumer recycled papers comprise only about 10-percent of the printing and stationery market. In fact 90-percent of our industries still use virgin paper.

Don’t either be anxious the poor quality of recycled paper creates paper jams in machines. You should not have any problem finding quality, recycled papers to use in printers, faxes copiers and other equipment. Whether or not you are using re-cycled paper or virgin paper the key is to choose the right paper for the task. Some say that burning paper for energy is far better than recycling. We do not agree. Remember that paper can be recycled again and again again, numerous times, you can only burn it once! This saves trees, water, energy and decreases pollution, inflating the value of recycling.

Ultimately , it isn’t right that recycling paper itself damages the environment. Naturally, energy is employed, but at last, recycling preserves the environment by saving trees, water and energy.

Recycling paper is achieved through the use of special waste processing equipment. There many new ideas and new opportunities to discovery in the new Waste Technologies. Find out more about what Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are, plus you will learn about many other types of waste technology. These exciting new technologies will help the growth in recycling to ensure a sustainable future for society, and the health of future generations.

Author: Steve D Evans
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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