Take the Punch out of Paper

Recycling paper is considered one of the easiest means of preventing green house gases like methane, which is 23x’s more potent than carbon dioxide, from entering the atmosphere-the 4^th largest cause of gas emissions. In America, the average person consumes over 700 pounds of paper a year, the world’s highest per capita, than fast developing countries like Latin America and Eastern Europe which averages close to 100 pounds per person per year. Emerging economies like China and India are the fastest consumer of paper products on the planet. While the populations growing consumption will outpace paper recycling programs, implementing daily steps can always make the difference in how we address this situation.  

By recycling paper which can then be used in products like tissue, paper towels, newspapers, game boards, egg cartons, insulation and packaging material, products made from 100% recycled content will have used 44% less energy, produce 38% less greenhouse gases, 50% less water and 100% less wood. If 1200 pounds of paper equal 1 ton, the amount of resources saved if per ton of paper recycled would estimate to save 17 trees, 60,000 gallons of water, 225 kilowatts of energy, 275 lbs of sulfur and 350 lbs of limestone. That would take 40% of commercial and residential paper waste from going into a landfill.

Think about how many times a day you touch paper-books, napkins, paper dishware, magazines, cereal boxes, labels, catalogs, packaging, copier paper, tissue, money, businesses cards-now just imagine the impact it would have if you recycled all that paper you handled. It is possible to achieve a significant reduction in paper waste if everyone begins to take an active role in recycling paper in our lives. Simple steps can start with you. Remember to recycle your paper waste today. Together, we can all make a difference.

A future demand for 'green' products and services

With the U.S. economy climbing out of a historic recession and consumer spending slowly gaining confidence, many Americans are rethinking their purchases and are buying eco-friendly products, services and apparel offered by their local community. New Entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to reboot the retail and service industry by catering to a growing green consumer. Organic products, energy efficient home remolding, eco-friendly jewelry and apparel, gifts, health and beauty, skin care, baby products and home décor has never been more mainstream. Choosing to go green in not only good for the planet, but good for the community and your wallet.

In the past, the average person associated ‘green’ products or living to be expensive, only affordable to Hollywood and the very rich. It seemed a premium was necessary in order to be part of the movement-but now with tax-friendly credits for businesses and consumers, a steady supply to retailers are having a larger role in offering products as well as being fiscally responsible to the environment. Still, the overall awareness of green products and services remains miniscule compared to its opposite means of conventional products, but the green sector has been steadily increasing over the last several years. Americans are still the largest consumer in the world and an increase in the green movement will have a positive impact on the local and national economy. A lower cost margin on green supplies is driven not only by the consumer, but the retailer who takes a higher margin on eco-friendly brands, because fortunately, price premiums have been shrinking in this area. The wallet crunch has shoppers saving money with their purchases, but living and doing business in a more socially and environment way.

One market in particular that has shown a steady increase is cleaning supplies. Conventional cleaners have harsh chemicals that can aggravate individuals with respiratory conditions and are often made from nonrenewable ingredients like petroleum and phosphates. Chemicals that actively damage the environment. Consumers, especially parents, are having a growing concern what products in their homes and in their daily lives that are made from chemicals which can have a direct result to their child’s health well-being. 

Going green will not only be better for the environment, or your health, but purchasing green products and services will create a market that can only supplied by local businesses. The direct result of supporting the green sector will expand a growing market with an upward of 6 billion in the U.S. and across the globe. The national conversation about going green could not have been easier.