The Green Report on Copy Paper

Laid end to end, the sheets of paper used in personal computers each year would circle the Earth over 800 times.

Worldwide copy paper production is estimated to grow to 396 million tons by 2010, an average annual consumption rate of 128 pounds per person (US consumption of 738 pounds per person in 1997 was the highest for any country). According to one estimate, only about 9 percent of the copy paper on the US market is made with recycled fibers.

Fortunately, opportunities exist to lessen the ecological footprint of copy paper by carefully selecting the product, reducing the number of sheets used, and reusing or recycling the used copy paper.
Green Seal’s issue on printing and writing papers ([link ES #45 ]) focused on issues related to fiber selection and pulp processing, while this issue will explore specific pollution sources. In addition, we will present opportunities for lessening the environmental footprint of copy paper—that which is used in photocopiers, printers and fax machines—as well as the steps that consumers can take to reduce the impacts of pulp and paper production and use.
Green Seal recommends that when purchasing paper, choose products that are made with at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled fiber content, with preference given to the highest post-consumer content percent possible. Also, use papers made from pulp that has not been processed with elemental chlorine and, where possible, without chlorine derivatives either.

The Choose Green Report on copy paper rates and recommends 30 name brand copy paper products that have passed Green Seals stringent environmental and health criteria.

To read Green Seal’s environmental rating of industrial and institutional cleaners—38 product recommendations—download Green Seal’s Choose Green Report!

Read more: Career, Life

Adapted from a Green Seal Choose Green Report, by Green Seal. Copyright (c) by Green Seal. Reprinted by permission of Green Seal.
A Green Seal Choose Green Report, by Green Seal

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Tim C.

10:05AM PDT on Mar 19, 2012

send a green star

Becky L.

7:45PM PDT on Jun 21, 2011

I want to start doing this...

Past Member .

12:54PM PDT on Oct 21, 2010

i already try to recycle by using the plain side to print on for something else.

Linus S.

10:59AM PDT on Jul 21, 2010

thanks

Teresa W.

3:15AM PDT on May 15, 2010

thank you

Pete C.

4:41PM PDT on May 14, 2010

April T.

10:07AM PDT on Apr 21, 2010

thank you Shailja I had never known of the site treewala.com I have forwarded it to everyone that I know.

Wendy L.

7:32AM PDT on Apr 21, 2010

One of the easiest ways I recycle copy paper is to use the blank side once I'm done with the printed side. And if need a smaller size for quick notes, I use the blank side of the daily tear off calendars. Not only are they a perfect size, but I sometimes get a good laugh or warm fuzzy when I reread the printed side.

Ellinor S.

7:15AM PST on Mar 4, 2010

Monica D.

3:39PM PST on Mar 3, 2010

Thank you for this. It would be great if Care2 can give us an update for 2010, with a new link. I wonder what the situation is now with copy paper.