4 Benefits of Recycling Paper Products

Even in our technology-driven world, people consume obscene amounts of paper. The EPA estimates that Americans consume 70 million tons of paper per year in the United States alone. Yet, around 70% of paper waste is recycled in our country. Saving landfill space, water, and energy are just some of the advantages of recycling paper. In addition, recycling paper can help to reduce greenhouse gases and produce a cost-saving and sustainable fiber for making new paper products. Experts offer these advantages of paper recycling in Orlando:

Saves landfill space

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, paper is to blame for nearly thirty percent of the solid trash found in landfills. In addition, it takes up around 3.3 cubic yards of space in a landfill to hold one ton of paper. You can help save space in landfills for other trash you cannot recycle by recycling all of your cardboard and paper products. Doing so will also help reduce the need for building more landfills. The building of new landfills in neighborhoods often brings opposition from the communities they are suggested in.

Saves water and energy

Less water and energy are consumed to recycle paper than to create paper from plants and other trees. Amazingly, one ton of paper being recycled can save energy equal to the energy required to power an average American home for six months out of the year. It also can save the use of nearly 7,000 gallons of water. In addition, creating new paper from recycled paper helps conserve water and energy because the amount of energy-intensive processes and steps that use water is significantly reduced.

Lowers the release of greenhouse gases

Carbon dioxide and methane are reduced in the atmosphere through the recycling process. Methane gas is released into the atmosphere when paper decomposes naturally in a landfill. Global climate change is affected by methane and carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Cutting down trees to make paper allows more carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere because living trees absorb carbon dioxide. In addition, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when the wood is processed to make paper. According to the EPA, recycling paper dramatically reduces the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Preserves natural resources

You can preserve forests and trees through the process of recycling paper. Seventeen trees can be left standing for each ton of recycled paper. Paper recycling is an environmentally friendly practice for paper manufacturers that saves energy and costs. It is important to note that you cannot recycle paper forever. It can only be recycled up to seven times before the fibers become too short to be recycled again. Short fiber materials can be burned for energy, composted, or used as landfilling material.

The benefits of paper recycling in Orlando are apparent. Contact us today for more information on our available services and do your part to make the world a better place for generations to come.