Here’s a pdf pamphlet worth reading. Take it with a grain of salt because it’s written by a paper company. But some surprising info in here. Here’s an excerpt:
PAPER: One of the great things about paper is that its primary raw materials are renewable. The paper and forest products industry replenishes more than it takes and ensures the sustainability of our forests by planting 1.7 million trees every single day, more than three times what is harvested. And the U.S. Dept. of Energy has stated that the carbon sequestered on forested lands in 2006 was greater than the carbon released from harvesting wood over the same period.
ELECTRONIC: Making a computer typically requires the mining and refining of dozens of minerals and metals, including gold, silver and palladium, as well as the extensive use of plastics and hydrocarbon solvents. The lifespan of a computer is short, and electronics have become the fastest growing waste stream in the world.
PAPER: Paper is a biodegradable substance that is also recyclable and reusable. Nearly 60 percent of all paper in the U.S. is recycled and more than 63 percent of the fiber used to make new paper products in the U.S. comes from recycled sources.
ELECTRONIC: Only 18 percent of all electronic devices are currently recycled. 1.84 million tons of these devices were disposed of in U.S. landfills in 2006, and an estimated 30-40 million PCs will be ready for disposal in each of the next few years. Additionally, e-waste now constitutes our single largest toxic waste export.
