FEBRUARY 13, 2006
It
is amazing to me that we are using more paper today per capita than at any time in our nations history, yet we are all communicating electronically on a greater and more regular frequency.
Personal computers are as a part of our daily life as the toothbrush, and probably used on a more regular basis. Every computer has to have a printer and every printer paper; voila! At least, we can buy recycled printer paper with good high post consumer content, but still I take home a bin of used paper every week from the office to put in our big blue recycle barrel. .
Paper, paper, paper everywhere and we are becoming buried in our own good intentions.
Paper has been used since the papyrus reeds were fashioned into paper during the Egyptian dynasties to communicate and record the ideas and exploits of a people. It was faster to write on paper than carve stories into stone, thus easily transportable writing material developed in all cultures. Today billions can read and write and paper has been a great boon to the democratization of ideas. However.
Granted: Paper has a positive roll to play in our culture, and frankly I like writing on paper. There is something very appealing about using a pen that feels good in ones hand on a tablet of paper.
However, now is the time for an about face.
If we are going to use paper, buy recycled with high post consumer content, or alternative paper like kenaf plant paper.
Keep paper out of light and it will last as long as the pyramids. It is essentially indestructible and will continue to accumulate unless we begin to change our purchasing habits. It is ok to recycle, it is better to buy recycled and then recycle. And, oh yes, keep the emails flowing, but write your mom at least once a year on real recycled paper she will save the letters and read them forever.
--Peter