When paper decomposes, it releases Methane gas which is 20 times more potent than Carbon Dioxide in greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists globally accept that reducing greenhouse gases will slow down global warming. Such a small concept at recycling paper by just 10% in our daily lives could prevent the emissions of over 1 million tons greenhouse gases. That would be like taking over 200,000 cars off the road. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report estimating that America alone generated 426 million tons of trash in just 2005. The average American is responsible for 700lbs. of paper waste a year which accumulates 20% of landfill space.
By just recycling paper, it reduces 70% of energy and 55% less water usage than if creating new paper from virgin materials. This reduces air pollution by over 75% and over 30% of water pollution when new paper products are produced as reported by the EPA. However, the demand for paper products in our ever growing population is outpacing the recycling steps needed to address this issue.
Here are a few quick tips on recycling paper as well as taking a moment to reconsider purchasing that next paper product.
· Purchase washable paper plates and cups. Use cloth napkins instead of paper towel for those spills.
· Buy paper products made from recycled paper. Look for the PCW (post-consumer waste) or TCF (Total Chlorine Free) label on the label to ensure that they originated from recycled products. There are also paper-free products that are made from hemp or kenaf that offer that same value of your original purchases.
· Read newspapers and magazines online as well as share subscriptions with neighbors.
· Don’t print out anything that you can easily read online or store on your computer.
· Recycle paper to save trees from being cut down and the impact it has on air and water pollution. This also save indigenous animals from having their habitat destroyed for such a simple item like a paper cup or paper towel.
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