Did you know that…
Since its inception, paper has played a vital role in spreading knowledge and technological challenges. It has accompanied us for over 2000 years and has been part of our daily life from morning to night: we find it in the fields of communication, education, art and culture, commerce, storage and transport of goods, health and ‘hygiene. Despite the advent of technology, the demand for paper material is constantly growing thanks to the fact that it is a sustainable alternative to packaging made with fossil fuels.
Did you know that deforestation is NOT a consequence of paper production?
Only 12% of timber use results in paper production. Furthermore, in Europe the paper industry promotes sustainable management of forests whereby for every tree cut down, three new ones are planted. Deforestation has other causes.
Did you know that plantations to produce paper DO NOT harm the environment?
Paper plantations are usually built on land that has ceased to be cultivated, in order to increase the forest area. Furthermore, the fast-growing species used for paper are excellent absorbers of CO2 and help to slow down climate change. The stored carbon isn’t released when trees are cut down, but remains in forest products, such as the books that fill our libraries.
Did you know that water is NOT wasted to produce paper?
The paper industry is sustainable and no water is wasted to produce paper. Today 24 cubic meters of water are used to produce 1 ton of paper, while in 1970 a hundred cubic meters were needed. Over 90% of the water used in the production process is recycled water, while only the remainder consists of first use water . We are not only talking about paper produced from cellulose but also other special papers, made with waste materials and with low environmental impact such as Paper Stone for instance.
Did you know that we recycle a lot of paper?
The overall paper recycling rate in Europe is over 72%. We must also bear in mind that there are some types of paper that do not enter the recycling cycle because we keep them (photos, documents, books) or because of their use (toilet paper). In the case of paper packaging, the recycling rate increases to 85%, the highest rate of all packaging materials in Europe.
Did you know that paper pollutes LESS than an electronic device?
Paper contributes to the containment of CO2 emissions because it is a natural, renewable and recyclable product. Let’s make some comparisons: reading a newspaper a day produces 20% less CO2 than reading online for about 30 minutes. Greenhouse gas emissions from electronic devices have grown by 50% in recent years, and to produce them fossil fuels, chemicals, water, precious minerals or minerals from areas with exploitation at risk of extinction and other components harmful to the environment, such as lead, arsenic and mercury, are used.
Did you know that paper production does NOT consume a large amount of energy?
The average paper consumption of a citizen in a year is 200 kg. To produce them, 500 kWh of electricity are consumed, the same consumption as keeping a 60W light bulb on for a year or leaving all the domestic appliances (television, dishwasher, stereo, etc.) of an average family on standby for a whole year.
Did you know that paper is obtained from a NON-polluting production process?
The paper industry represents an example of excellence in the use of clean technologies and Italy is a leader in product certification through the European Ecolabel, a label that certifies the ecological excellence of the product.
Did you know that recycled paper is environmentally friendly?
The cellulose fiber from wood, a natural and renewable resource, is the fundamental raw material for the manufacture of paper. When it is used for the first time in the manufacture of paper it is called virgin fibre. Through recycling, it continues to be reused several times (3.6 on average in Europe), and is therefore defined as recycled fiber. In other words, virgin and recycled fibers are the same fiber in two moments of its life cycle.
Did you know that paper can be recycled MULTIPLE times?
The material related to fiber packaging, like paper, cardboard, folding boxes, etc., can be recycled more than 25 times without almost ever losing its integrity. Furthermore, many commonly used products have a recycled cardboard core, such as toilet paper, in the soles of high-heeled shoes, bags and suitcases.