It is estimated that only 5% of South African households recycle their paper and cardboard. So what is the other 95% doing with it?

A significant amount of recyclable paper is going to landfill every year. This paper degrades along with other food waste, adding to the levels of greenhouse gases in the air we breathe. Methane is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In some cases, paper is incinerated, also causing air pollution.

By recycling paper, the carbon (originally stored by trees in the wood fibre) remains ‘locked up’ – and out of the atmosphere – for longer. It also saves landfill space. In 2013 1,2 million tonnes of paper were collected for recycling saving 3,5 million cubic metres of landfill space – the equivalent of 1,403 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

So this National Recycling Day – 19 September 2014 – why not make a commitment to start recycling paper?

Here are a few tips from the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa to get you started:
• Invest a paper-only bin or box in your home or office for easy recycling.

• Keep your paper clean and dry.

• Not all paper can be recycled so get to know your recyclables.

− Recyclable: magazines (including the glossy variety), newspapers, brochures, office paper, shredded paper, cardboard (cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, medicine boxes, pizza boxes, tissue boxes) and cartonboard, liquid board packaging including beverage and food cartons.

− Not recyclable: wet, soiled paper such as used paper plates, disposable nappies, tissues and toilet paper; foil, gift wrapping, carbon paper; wax-coated, foil-lined or laminated boxes; used cement and dog food bags.

• Find a recycling collection programme or drop-off point near you by visiting www.mywaste.co.za. Many schools and community organisations earn money from recyclable paper collection. Support these initiatives.

• Support job creation by keeping your recyclables aside for an informal collector who walks your neighbourhood every week. This increases the quality of the recyclables and the collector could earn a little more for better quality.

• Don’t let the recycling pile get too big before you drop it off – keep a box/crate in your boot so you can do a weekly drop-off when you do your shopping or run other errands.

• Always keep in mind that you are recycling for a good reason – the future of our planet. This should be motivation enough to keep you going!
For more information on paper and paper recycling, visit www.thepaperstory.co.za. You can also follow @PaperRocks_SA on Twitter.

The post Clear the air by recycling paper first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

The ICFPA and its members have made strong and clear commitments to sustainable development and to working with other stakeholders in ensuring that environmental, social, and economic benefits of forest resources are available to current and future generations. Since the signing of the historic CEO Leadership Statement on Sustainability in 2006, ICFPA has published a biennial report on its members’ progress and performance in areas such as climate change, sustainable forest management, fighting illegal logging, and investments in workers and communities.

In addition to reporting on performance, this 4^th edition of the Sustainability Progress Report describes how the forest and paper industry is supporting a green economy through five key areas: resource efficiency, bio-based products, innovative technologies, carbon sequestration, and improved well-being of communities. 

“Ours is a diverse industry that contributes to the economic development and social well-being of communities across the globe,” said Donna Harman, president and CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association and president of the ICFPA.  “Our global industry is working every day to improve our practices to ensure that we deliver sustainably-produced, renewable, natural products to our domestic and global customers.  We are proud of our accomplishments and look forward to future progress as we contribute to sustainable development through new products and services in a green economy.”

ICFPA members continue to show progress on environmental indicators. 

• Greenhouse gas emissions intensity has been reduced by 16 percent between 2005 and 2011.
• The share of bio-energy in the industry’s fuel mix has increased by 5 percentage points since 2005 to 58 percent.
• The number of hectares certified to a third-party sustainable forest management certification system increased by 38 percentage points since 2000 to 50 percent of wood supply.
• Global paper recycling rates have increased by 10 percentage points between 2001 and 2011 to 56 percent.
• Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions decreased by 34 percent between 2005 and 2011.

Contributing to this report are forest and paper industry associations from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Europe, India, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, and the United States. 

Read the full report at: www.icfpa.org/resource-centre/sustainability-information

 # # #

About the ICFPA: Representing 38 forest and paper associations from 36 countries with 87 percent of the world’s paper production and 60 percent of the world’s wood products production, the ICFPA serves as a forum for global dialogue, coordination, and cooperation among forest and paper associations. 

CONTACT: Katharine Eaton

+1 (202) 463-2434, info@icfpa.org

The post Global Forest and Paper Industry’s Sustainability Record Supports Transition to a Green Economy first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).