Paper recycling in Ireland and across the EU is now well established and the recovery rate for paper is well over 50%. However great we are at recycling we should also try to reduce the amount of paper we use simply because paper production has adverse environmental impacts.
- Globally 90% of paper pulp is made from wood and paper production accounts for 35% of felled trees. By using both sides of each sheet of paper we can all make a personal contribution to reduce paper consumption.
- Using both sides of the sheet is easily done on most copiers and printers and in the office environment we should encourage a policy of settings printers to default to print double sided.
- At home and at work we should all keep a “scrap paper box” to use for rough work, taking notes and making lists and only send paper for recycling when it has been used on both sides.
- The greatest conservation of paper comes by ensuring that we only print after we have thoroughly checked our documents to ensure they are fully correct before we print.
Make use of technology – commit to electronic communication by emailing, using social media and conducting paperless meetings – it’s easier than you think.