ABC of Paper Recycling for Kids: All About Paper
Paper and printing have formed a basis for modern civilization. These two inventions meant that knowledge could be recorded and widely spread; laws, literature, science and philosophy could be communicated across continents and oceans. Even computers rely on paper for printing out. We have also come to rely on paper packaging, from the paper bag to the cardboard box. Then there is writing paper, tissue-paper, wallpaper and tracing paper-paper comes in many forms and has hundreds of uses.
Paper was first made in China 2,200 years ago. The basic process was the same as it is today. Plant fibers are suspended in water, drained through a sieve, then dried and rolled. The Chinese used mainly hemp fibers. When paper making spread to the West, recycled textiles were used -mainly linen, then later, cotton.
A hundred years ago the demand for paper grew so fast that new milling techniques were developed, and wood fiber took over as the main raw material. In the United States at the turn of the century, 60 percent of the fibers used were from wood pulp, but 40 percent were from waste paper and rags. As the demand for paper grew, new mills were built, and new supplies of materials were sought. Fast-growing trees were specially planted in different parts of the world to produce wood pulp more cheaply. Often the mills were sited on riverbanks, because logs could be transported by river. The milling process also required huge quantities of water and power. The amount of recycled materials being used fell until World War II, when a huge demand for cardboard packaging meant that recycling became important again. Since then the proportion of recycled material used in papermaking has bothfallen, and risen again.
The demand for wood pulp has had a big impact on the environment. In Scotland, Portugal, Brazil and Indonesia you can travel for mile upon mile and see nothing but a single species of tree, being grown for wood pulp. They are spruce or pine, or eucalyptus, depending on the climate. The trees are planted so closely together that little else survives. The balance of nature is destroyed; plants and animals lose their natural habitat; the landscape becomes monotonous and ugly.
Some people say that recycled paper saves trees. Where this means giant redwoods, poplar, beech, or birch, this is a worthwhile aim. But when it comes to the fast-growing plantations of conifers or eucalyptus, to talk of saving trees is misleading. If it were not for the demand for wood pulp these trees would not be planted in the first place. But they use up land that could be saved for natural forests, for food crops or other uses. In this case, recycling paper can help the environment by curbing the spread of single species planting.
If you need more information on paper recycling and you are in Ontario, you may want to contact a local Vaughan Rentals or Richmond Hill Roll Off Bins & Junk Removal Container Rentals Company for professional waste management consultation.
In the Province of Alberta Airdrie Bin Rentals or Calgary Roll Off Bin and Trash Container Rentals who offer paper recycling as a part of their waste hauling services.
- Published: 2012-06-07T10:28:03-07:00
- Author: Laura Schmidt, Dumpster Rentals Customer Supp
