The Need for Fresh Fibre

North America’s paper fibre cycle depends on fresh fibre from well-managed forests and a strong recovery network that values and collects discarded paper products for reuse.

A project conducted by Metafore, a non-profit group that works with business, government and other leaders to advance environmental goals, found that without fresh fibre from sawmill residues and harvesting, paper supplies for magazines would disappear in weeks, and supplies for newspapers and cardboard boxes would disappear in months.

In part, that's because recycled fibre breaks down with each use and 15% of paper products, such as tissues and books or documents stored for extended periods, simply cannot be recycled. On top of this, some paper that could be recycled still escapes recovery.

While recycled paper is generally an excellent environmental choice, buyers need to consider how far the waste paper was transported and the type of processing needed – and compare this with requirements to harvest and process fresh fibre.