How to Save Trees by Recycling Paper
You use paper or paper products every day. In fact, paper is one of the most widely used products. From newspapers and magazines to packaging to tissue, there is a demand for paper. When you recycle paper, you save trees and reduce the stress on forests. According to the Recycling Revolution website, each American uses seven trees annually in paper and paper-related products. Recycling paper helps save trees.
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Instructions
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Sorting
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Sort used paper products from your other trash. Put items such as newspaper, mail, envelopes and scrap paper into your designated recycling container.
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Make sure recycled paper is not contaminated by food. Food wrappers and pizza boxes cannot be recycled and should not be placed in your recycling bin.
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Flatten corrugated and paper boxes, such as cereal boxes, to reduce space.
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Keep your recycled paper dry. If you store it outside, make certain it's protected from rain and snow.
Collection
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Find out if your municipality offers curbside pick-up for paper and other recyclables.
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Place your paper-recycling container at the curb for designated pick-up. Ask about pick-up procedures during inclement weather. Wet paper cannot be recycled.
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Search online or locally for drop-off centers if your municipality does not offer curbside pick-up. The Earth911.com website provides searches for recycling centers. Take your recycled paper to a nearby drop-off center when you've collected more than you can store.
Other Considerations
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Reduce the amount of paper you use to help save trees. Use both sides of the paper before putting it in your recycling container.
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Reuse envelopes as scrap paper.
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Use newspaper as packing material when shipping or moving fragile items.
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Donate non-confidential documents to day care centers or schools to use as drawing paper. Contact them to find out what types of paper they will accept.
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Make a weed screen with old newspaper. Spread wet newspapers over your garden before planting to reduce weeds.
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Tips & Warnings
Take recycled paper to your drop-off center only when you have a full load to reduce the amount of gas you use.
Shred papers and documents containing confidential information; however, shredded paper cannot be recycled.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit newspaper image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
