We use an unbelievable amount of paper in this country. There were hopes that with the age of computers and more and more people communicating electronically and transacting business electronically that our need for paper would decrease. Unfortunately it has not. And probably will not in the foreseeable future. So we need to recycle and we need to purchase recycled paper. But not just any recycled. It has to be post-consumer recycled. Somebody has to have used it before and put it into the recycle stream to be made into new paper. And we have to use papers that have a high post-consumer content. Preferably 100% post-consumer.

Paper is still the largest source of landfill material! If we were recycling that paper we would be preserving landfill space, preserving trees, and preserving energy as it takes far less energy to create new paper from used paper than it does to create paper from virgin fiber – regardless of what kind of fiber it is (wood, kenaf, hemp, cotton, etc.). So let’s close the loop. Buy paper made from post-consumer content. Help create a demand for post-consumer recycled paper.

The other very important issue with paper is that we have to stop chlorine-bleaching paper. No elemental chlorine! No chlorine dioxide! Nothing! Chlorine and heat and organic material (wood pulp, cotton, kenaf pulp, hemp pulp, etc.) create deadly organochlorine compounds. The most potent carcinogen, most potent toxin known to humans is an organochlorine compound commonly known as dioxin (2,3,7,8 – TCDD).

The term Dioxin refers to a family of similar chemicals with similar toxicities. The paper industry is the largest source of organochlorine releases into the U.S. and world waterways. When we chlorine bleach paper (to whiten it) we are pouring poison into our waterways. And not just any poison but one that does not readily breakdown. It persists in our environment and bioaccumulates, meaning that its concentrations get higher and higher as it moves up the food chain. And remember folks, we’re at the top of the food chain! Dioxin causes cancer. It causes decreased fertility. It causes birth defects. It causes disruption of our endocrine system, the bodies intricate system of hormonal communication. Dioxin is poisoning our planet and our children. There are alternatives!

Buy paper that is not bleached with chlorine compounds. Look for paper that is whitened using hydrogen peroxide (the most common non-chlorine compound method). Or buy paper that is not whitened
at all. A less "bright" paper is easier on the eyes anyway!

There is so much more that could be said about Dioxin and the chlorine based paper industry so if you want to know more go to www.greenpeace.org. It’s a great page! Don’t give up hope – just do your part! Thanks!

Look for these products soon in our on-line store!

If you would like more information about our earth friendly paper products, please use our request information form, send us an e-mail, or call 218-722-1771

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