Plastic containers are often not damaged when stacked on top of each other, making it easier to transport products. Please wait a moment and try again. Around the world, paper recycling rates consistently exceed those of plastic. By weight, more paper is recycled than metals and plastics combined.
In addition, this process is time-consuming and economically inefficient. Just because the recycling symbol is on something doesn't mean it's definitely going to be recycled. It has reduced its plastic recycling rate. On the one hand, the processes used to turn paper into a recycled product are simple and environmentally friendly. On the other hand, plastic recycling is a volatile process that produces lower quality plastic than the original product.
In addition, unstable plastic resin is known to break the machinery used to recycle it. Then, ink and other types of pollution require that the recycled product be mixed with new plastics to create a usable end product. In fact, this continuous and persistent need for new plastic reduces the impact of plastic recycling. Usually, after two or three rounds of recycling, plastic can no longer be converted back into a reusable material.
In contrast, paper recycling is not based on chemical reactions. It's easy to repulp and turn into a 100% recycled paper product. However, when plastic breaks down, chemicals are released into the environment that can contaminate groundwater and the drinking water supply. Unfortunately, waste and garbage are a reality, but the environmental impact of paper if discarded or even thrown away is much lower than that of plastic.
Fortunately, new methods are constantly emerging to address the inefficiencies of recycling. Sustainable forests balance harvest with plantation and ensure that forest habitat is not lost. Through sustainable forestry, trees are replanted, making them renewable. Certainly, deforestation is still a problem, but it mainly occurs when land is cut down for agriculture. Paper products largely come from intentionally managed sustainable forests.
On the one hand, forested land is sometimes used for biking and hiking. Even if they aren't, they provide visual value to communities. In the same way, sustainable forests benefit the environment. Meanwhile, as homes for wildlife and pollinators, they promote biodiversity.
In addition, trees manage watersheds and prevent erosion and landslides. Likewise, as trees grow, they remove carbon from the environment, while other products require the use of carbon throughout their manufacturing process. In general, sustainable forests are carbon neutral. Therefore, as demand for paper products increases, so do sustainable forests.
Significantly, sustainable forests in Europe have increased in an area roughly the size of Switzerland. After all, every material and every choice has an environmental impact, but it's quite possible that paper is better than plastic. Therefore, in a world of waste and pollution, paper has many superior qualities.19 Ultimately, the ideal is to reduce the use of any disposable or recyclable material, but, when necessary, consider paper for its many sustainable benefits. IDEAS For Us (IDEAS) is a 501 (c) (grassroots) non-profit organization based in Orlando and also an NGO accredited by the United Nations. IDEAS creates global environmental solutions through local action.
In addition, it is estimated that the 145 trucks currently needed to manage plastic bags will become 1,183 trucks per year to manage paper bags.
