Is paper consumption good for the environment?

Question

I live in Wisconsin. The paper companies own huge tracts of land all over the northern part where there is a lot of woods. The companies pretty much let you do anything you want on their land. Yes, they do log them off from time to time, but it only takes a few years for the land to recover, especially with today's select cutting.

Some of these tracts are being sold for development to raise capital and to accomodate lower demand. Now instead of habitat that gets logged once every 15 years and regrows, it will be a subdivision.

My question is:

Does less paper consumption (through email and recycling) actually hurt the habitat that paper companies provide?

Answer 1

The problem with the "paper mill" is the pollution it puts into the atmosphere.  You may not see the results but those downeast from you (where the wind blows) get that lovely "acid rain" that is so destructive to THEIR trees, and environment.  And then there is the pollution of the water.  We still need trees and will need trees, especially for home construction and now for wood pellets for stoves.  There is a nice trial going on in our area with hybrid poplars being planted on abandoned strip mines. The poplars grow fast and in five years they can be sold, you need about 100 acres to make it profitable.  It's the destructive pollution from papermills that is the environmental concern.

Answer 2

From what your describing I would say its plausable. I know many pulp and paper mills up here are being closed due to low demand. Since you say they acutally own this land that they log I would say its plausable to make ends meet selling some of their land off is a viable option in the short term goals. This will reduce habitat as undeveloped land is cheaper and would be perfect for subdivisions or suburbia giving it the "outdoor" feel to the subdivision but acutally displacing wildlife in this course

Hope that helps

Answer 3

Hi. Although the paper companies will try to confuse you, paper consumption by any other name is still a tree killer and a polluntant. Trees are one of our only sources for clean oxygen! They turn the carbon monoxide into clean air. There have been so many trees cut down to make paper, and only a small portion is recycled, that our atmosphere is becoming more and more polluted. Don't let them confuse you. Yes, if they have specially grown trees, and don't cut down wild trees, they are not hurting the tree population, but the paper will still make it's way to the waste dump. Sadly, only a small portion of the paper used in this country, is recycled. Don't forget how much toilet paper, paper towels, copy paper, cardboard used in furniture andmany other items. Whenever you can, use blow dryers in public restrooms instead of paper.It will take a few more seconds of your time, but the air will thank you! Also, there are now reusable towels, that can even be washed in a gentle cycle. I think Bounty makes one!

Answer 4

Paper is generally made from wood by products and tree species that are good for pulp making but not lumber.

Pulp trees are often planted in huge stands like tall corn.   They grow rapidly. While growing they do provide wildlife habit. Noise buffering, erosion control.  Then they are mowed down and shipped off. And another crop can be planted.  Good management practices rotate standing tree lots and there are always these great looking patches of green dotting the country side.

It's a very renewable resource.

The main downsides are the energy needed to make the paper and dispose of it.

Answer 5

Good answers, but no one mentioned the dioxin issue...

Dioxins are very, very, bad.  Cancer rates in population are higher downstream of paper mills.

I don't know if it's possible to get commercial papers without the dioxin process... theoretically, since you can make paper by hand, i suppose you can... but i don't know enough about paper making to tell you.  This website, however, will give you more information:

Answer 6

If by 'habitat" you mean the urban sprawl known as subdivisions , then I hope it does. Developers take any land they can get and cram in as many houses as they possibly can to maximize profit and next thing you know the infrastructure is overloaded and the taxes skyrocket to cover the cost of more schools,roads, water & sewer lines and so on.