Ecological Benefit of going Paperless



    


‘As one of the largest industrial sectors in the world, the pulp and paper industry has an enormous influence on global forests. This sector, which includes products such as office and catalogue paper, glossy paper, tissue, and paper-based packaging, uses over 40 percent of all industrial wood traded globally.’ [1]

Unsustainable pulp and paper operations have contributed to the transformation of high conservation value forests, illegal harvesting, human rights and social conflicts, and irresponsible plantation development.

One million tonnes of wood pulp is used in the production of UK paper and board. 0.78 million tonnes of the wood pulp used is imported from 24 countries. Wood pulp fibres can be recycled several times, but they eventually lose their papermaking qualities. Fresh wood pulp fibres need to be constantly introduced into the papermaking chain. Without virgin fibres, from new trees, the paper cycle can neither begin nor continue. More trees will need to be planted if the needs of papermakers and EU targets for renewable energy are to be met.[2]

We are trying to reduce our carbon footprint by cutting our paper usage. By attempting to go paperless we hope to reduce our C02 (carbon dioxide) emissions significantly. 1 ream (500 sheets) uses 6% of a tree.[3] Turning a single tree into reams of paper results in around 110 lbs of C02 being released into the atmosphere. Additionally, trees are also ‘carbon sinks’ and every tree that is not cut down for paper usage is able to absorb C02 gasses. The average tree can absorb around a ton- 2,000 lbs of C02 in its lifetime. [4]

We hope that our policy of paperless productivity will have a positive impact on the environment through reducing paper consumption, by turning our paper documents into electronic ones. Have you taken any steps to reduce your carbon footprint?


[1] WWF. Pulp and Paper Available online: https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/pulp-and-paper date accessed: 20/5/21

[2] Confederation of Paper Industries. Forestry. Available online: https://www.paper.org.uk/CPI/Information/Forestry/CPI/Content/Information/Forestry.aspx?hkey=c40c9278-c9e8-4abd-8a3d-60b28ccf3eb5 date accessed: 20/5/21.

[3] Conservatree. Tree Stats. Available online:  http://conservatree.org/learn/EnviroIssues/TreeStats.shtml date accessed 20/5/21.

[4]Paperless Productivity. Available online:  https://paperlessproductivity.com date accessed 20/5/21.








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