There are so many reasons to “Love a Tree” and be proactive with caring for our trees and 
recycling paper. Trees provide us with both warmth and shade. They give off oxygen and provide a place for the kids to build a tree house and climb. Trees are the natural resources for so many products in our homes, workplaces, and more. From the frame of our buildings, to the furniture in our homes, and the paper in our offices and schools. We have trees to thank!
So what can we all do to care for and love the trees around us on a larger scale? We can help to minimize the paper products from going to the landfill (and save a tree) by reducing waste and recycling paper and cardboard. It is hard to calculate how many trees are used to make paper, but according to Conservatree, 1 ton of uncoated virgin (non-recycled) printing and office paper uses about 24 trees.
What is Paper Recycling?
Paper and cardboard recycling is the process of manufacturing old paper products and turning them into new, reusable paper products. Recycling old paper products uses 60% less energy than manufacturing it from new materials.
What are the most commonly recycled paper products?
- Newspaper
Shredded paper- Phonebooks and magazines
- Cardboard and paperboard
- Computer paper and office paper
- Envelopes and junk mail
What is recycled paper and cardboard made into?
- Newspaper and phonebooks
- Egg cartons and paper bags
- Paper towels, tissues, toilet paper
- Notebooks, calendars, business cards
- Greeting cards
According to Earth911, paper (which includes everything from packaging to mail) makes up the largest percentage of the municipal solid waste stream at 33 percent. It’s also one of the most recovered materials, as recycling opportunities are often readily available.
What can you do to reduce paper waste?
- If you have unwanted catalogs or phone books mailed to you, contact the sender and ask to be removed from the list.
- Think before your print it out. You will reduce paper clutter and paper waste by keeping a digital copy instead of a hardcopy.
- Try to buy paper products that are made from recycled paper. For instance, greeting cards, card stock, wrapping paper, notebooks, and office paper can be made with recycled paper.
- At your workplace, encourage paper recycling bins at each workspace, and if printing is necessary, print on both sides of the paper.
- Reuse paper bags, envelopes, wrapping paper and other scrap paper if you can. After reusing it, then recycle it!
- Avoid cutting down trees whenever when possible. Trees provide us with so many awesome benefits, like shade, wind protection and oxygen!
- Go paperless with your bills, statements, and other mailed documentation. Just get it in your email inbox!
- Recycle, recycle, recycle! Wherever you are – home, work, school, or play – make sure you have a habit of recycling. If recycling is not made convenient in a store or public place, talk to management about making a change.
What can you do to “Love a Tree”, reduce paper waste, and recycle more paper and cardboard? Tell us your ideas below!
