Submitted by: Matthew Robson October 30, 2020

Myths surrounding the paper industry continue to abound.

Paper, if sourced, used and recycled responsibly may well be the most environmentally friendly way to communicate and store information. Statements such as reducing paper usage to save trees need to be challenged. Worldwide, managed and certified plantations act as carbon sinks locking millions of tons of CO2 into timber and paper products at the same time producing essential and life-giving Oxygen throughout the growing stages.

Trees in managed plantations are grown to be harvested, are naturally irrigated consuming only 3% of available water in South Africa while other agriculture consumes up to 60%. Sappi and Mondi owned plantations are 100% certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and all other wood fibre bought in comes from controlled sources. No indigenous timber is used in the manufacture of paper in South Africa.

One cannot ignore the colossal environmental impact of the ITC sector from the massive power requirements to run systems and devices, the materials used in the manufacture of devices, the low recycling rates of only 17%, to the exploding problem of E Waste at 53.6 millions tons in 2019 and expecting to double by 2040.

Before you unfairly blame the forestry, wood, pulp and paper sector for poor environmental credentials get the facts at www.twosides.info and discover the surprisingly good environmental story paper has to tell.

In South Africa we are approaching 70% recycling rates for collectable paper one of the highest rates in the world.

Buy certified paper, use it responsibly, recycle and do your bit for the planet. A higher demand for wood and paper products creates a demand for more managed plantations, the Oxygen factories of our world.