Dr.
Dr. Laura Thompson of Sappi Fine Paper has a post over at
Environmental Leader discussing an interesting phenomenon: more than three-fourths (77%) of Canadian paper packaging is made from recycled content. The interesting bit, as Dr. Thompson points out, is that this doesn’t even raise eyebrows.
Front page, headline news for the Toronto Sun or the Globe and Mail? Not really. More like business as usual.
The
trend in the U.S. is about the same—although we have yet to get near 77%. This is one of those cases where economics and the environment are on the same side. Dr. Thompson adds:
Packaging grades are one of the best uses for recycled fiber. It is a cost effective use of waste paper and delivers products with the right quality attributes for the job at hand. And industry experts know this.
It is not only a case of economic forces working successfully; it’s a great win for the environment as well. Using recycled fiber in products like corrugated containers or molded pulp applications (like egg cartons or drink trays) typically requires minimal processing. These applications do not require bleaching and for many products the ink need not be removed. The result is a high yield of fiber recovery (less waste) and less impact on the environment than when deinking is required.
About Richard Romano
Richard Romano is Managing Editor of WhatTheyThink. He curates the Wide Format section on WhatTheyThink.com. He has been writing about the graphic communications industry for more than 25 years. He is the author or coauthor of more than half a dozen books on printing technology and business. His most recent book is “Beyond Paper: An Interactive Guide to Wide-Format and Specialty Printing.
