Environment Agency Approved CBDU80874
Of all materials, paper is the easiest to recycle. In Britain alone, for instance, over 70 per cent of it is reused. Today, it takes a mere 7 days for a recycled newspaper to come back as a newspaper again. Why, then, do we still send paper to landfill?
The answer is easy. We struggle with paper recycling because …
1.we think it’s not eco-friendly (when it actually is)!
Recycling one ton of paper can save 17 trees, 26,500 litres of water, 1,700 gallons of oil, 2.5 cubic metres of landfill space and 4,000 kilowatts of energy. It can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one metric ton of carbon equivalent (MTCE). A total of 11 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions were avoided by recycling paper and board in 2008, the equivalent of taking around 3.5 million cars off the road.
2.we think it’s expensive (when it is not)
In an office, simple steps to improve awareness of recycling can lead to significant savings for business. For instance, when ordering material from printing services, a request for two side printing can save money for the company and is environmentally friendly.
Recycled paper is often cheap to purchase too. Buying cheaper, recycled goods encourages more recycled goods to be manufactured, sustaining the recycling industry.
3. we think it’s useless (though it creates jobs)
Recycling of any sort creates work in the field of green energy. More jobs mean more consumers with disposable income. Not only does responsible recycling result in helping the wider economy, it also affects the growth of businesses in the manufacturing or service fields.
4. we think it’s pointless (but it’s good advertisement)
The recycling of paper promotes a clean, green image. Today, a trustworthy image is vital for any business. Promoting a company’s use of recycled paper can enhance that image. For instance, a note on office stationery that the company uses recycled paper shows that the enterprise is a responsible corporate citizen. Consumers are attracted to companies with a high degree of responsibility and reliability. Hence, promoting a ‘green’ image can lead to an increase in sales and reputation.
If we are to make the world a greener place, we should start by recycling our paper.
To find out more information about recycling visit: www.quickwasters.co.uk
