I was visiting a green forum yesterday when a member made the comment that recycled paper actually causes more pollution and does more environmental damage than newly made paper.  She also stated buying recycled paper was just a “feel good” activity.  These statements stopped me in my tracks, and I went looking then and there to see if she was correct.  I do make it a habit of buying recycled paper, but if it is harmful to the environment, I don’t want to continue just because it seems like the right thing.

Here’s what I found out.  On Treecycle, a paper recycling site, it is noted that all recycled paper is not equal.  The amount of post consumer waste used in making the paper is important, as is the bleaching process used to make the paper lighter. So when buying paper, I am now going to look for the word “Post-consumer wastepaper” and buy paper that is 50% or more PCW.  I am also going to look for paper with the initials PCF (processed chlorine free) or SCF (secondarily chlorine free). 

Using the right paper for the job is another change I will make.  Paper that is not pristine white will serve for most of my printing jobs.  I will also start buying envelopes, files, mailers, and other office supplies made of post consumer wastepaper.

Using alternate materials helps save paper and trees.  Using cloth shopping bags and cloth lunch bags saves trees, energy, and money in the long run.  You can take action to save paper in other ways.

In the end, remembering that recycling is a loop.  We take things to the recycler and then purchase the recycled products.  If we don’t purchase the products, we are not completing the loop.   

Oh and by the way, if you’re getting married, here’s a great alternative to the usual wedding invitation.