WHY USE RECYCLED?
It is now generally recognised that recycling waste paper is not only a matter of saving trees. Virgin paper pulp is produced from trees farmed in managed plantations where trees are planted to replace those cut down. These papers are often labelled “environmentally friendly”. But because of the demand for paper, fast growing trees are often planted in areas where they would not grow naturally. These plantations result in severe and sometimes unsustainable environmental pressures. It is not necessary to increase such environmental pressures when the case for using recycled papers is so strong. Making paper from recycled waste consumes up to 50% less energy than using trees. Half the energy consumption means half the demand on fossil fuels and half the carbon dioxide emissions.
The UK currently dumps 90% of council waste into landfill sites. Recycling paper reduces disposal demands which, in turn, results in less pollution from ocean dumping, incineration and methane gas escaping from the decomposing waste in landfill sites. Recycled paper production reduces water use by up to 50% and involves fewer chemical processes. Increased use of recycled paper enables us to make use of waste as a domestic raw material, so reducing imports of pulp. Research suggests that 12 jobs can be created in the economy for every 1000 tonnes of waste paper recycled.
The quality of recycled paper has benefitted from great improvements in papermaking technology over the last three decades. Quality control is almost invariably computerised and subject to the strictest testing. Many recycled coated and office papers are now indistinguishable from virgin equivalents, not just in their performance, but even in their appearance. Mission Print offers a wide range of recycled papers suitable for letterheads, flyers, business cards and booklets. Our in house screenprinting allows us to print on thicker coloured and raw stocks unsuitable for conventional offset litho printing. Please email or call to request paper and board swatches.
