Paper – Myths vs Reality
It is important to know that paper is actually a boon to the economy, environment and farmers in India and across the world. There is a false agenda that has been going around across the world by many companies unknowingly that paper is bad & that one “shouldn’t print until & unless necessary”. This agenda was to promote a farce green culture that is required by most companies to showcase as a part of their HR/CSR policies. Here are some facts to be aware of before dismissing paper & its importance:
- Approximately 70% of the paper produced in India comes from waste/recycled paper or agricultural residue as the primary raw material which contributes towards protecting the environment.
- Paper industry in India is an agro/farm forestry based industry engaging approximately 600,000 farmers from whom more than 90% of the wood requirement is sourced. Farmers grow trees on their land just like any other crop & sell their harvest to paper mills. Majority of the wood is grown in backward areas and marginal land which is potentially unfit for cultivation.
- Growing and harvesting of these planed trees, which are called “Trees Outside Forest” (TOF) has generated substantial employment and increased income of the farmers in rural India.
- 10% of the raw material is sourced from wood grown by State Forest Development Corporations for commercial purposes on revenue land(Non-Forest)
- Intensive efforts by the paper mills over the last several years have cumulatively brought around 1 million hectares under plantation and 125,000 hectares are covered under agro/farm forestry on annual basis.
- Growing trees by the paper industry leads to reduction in carbon dioxide and helping the cause of mitigating climate change. What is significant to note is that young trees grown by the Paper Industry absorb more carbon dioxide than aged one’s.
- The paper industry has allowed the farmers to increase their earnings by utilizing unproductive land.
- A large part of the energy required by the paper industry is generated by using renewable energy sources, i.e.. bio-mass, resulting in the reduction of fossil fuel consumption & thereby lowering carbon emission.
To summarize, Paper is bio-degradable, renewable, recyclable and sustainable. It provides jobs to millions of people directly or indirectly. It helps in improving the environment and the air also reducing carbon emissions.
Therefore the myth of “Paper is bad” is at best only a myth. Paper is the better option for the world.
