Dear Recycle Lady,
I just read that some old growth forests are being cut down to keep up with the current demand for paper. If so, are there any other materials, except wood from trees, that can be used for making paper?
Tree Hugger
Dear Tree Hugger,
You are correct about the growing demand for paper contributing to the deforestation of old growth forests. According to Earth911, over 440 million U.S. tons of paper are used world-wide each year, and that number keeps rising. The good news is that paper can be made without trees. Many paper products today are being made from partially or totally recycled paper, so we all can help by recycling and reusing paper. Fortunately, there are now 45 countries that are making paper using alternative materials. For example, paper is now being made from hemp, bark of banana trees, cotton, straw, kenaf (a type of hibiscus), mango, jute, and believer or not, elephant poop and birds’ nests.
Historically, we have used some of these alternate practices for making paper. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams all grew hemp, and Benjamin Franklin owned a mill that made hemp paper. According to the edelsoninstitute.com, up until the 1880’s, 75% – 90% of all paper in the world was made from hemp. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first drafts of the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper. The final version of the Declaration of Independence was not written on hemp, however, but on parchment made from animal skin. It is currently on display in the National Archives.
Dear Recycle Lady,
Is there a limit to the thickness of paperback books that can be recycled? I have several that are almost three inches thick.
Wondering Recycler
Dear Wondering Recycler,
There are limits on recycling thick paperback books and manuals. These limits are determined by the machinery used to chop up or shred the manuals. If you are taking your manuals to the Recycling Center, the limit is one inch. Anything larger than that tends to jam up the equipment. If your books or manuals exceed this limit, see if some of their pages can be removed and recycled separately. This may require some effort on your part, but it is worth it. According to Earth911, each ton of paper recycled saves 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 380 gallons of oil, 17 trees, 4,000 kilowatts of energy and 7,000 gallons of water. Have you considered donating your books to a library for their annual book sale or to one of the local thrift shops? There are also several Little Free Libraries in the area, including the Williamsburg Community Center. It a great way to make your books available for others to read, as well as exchanging them for books you want to read.
Interesting news: The deeper water of the Black Sea has minimal oxygen that slows decay and keeps ancient shipwrecks intact. Explorers sometimes find centuries-old cargo in near-pristine condition, turning these depths into a hidden treasure trove of maritime history. (fto.com)
Bad News: The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced last week that “from January 2023 to April 20, 2025, bleaching-level heat stress has impacted 83.7% of the world’s coral reef area and mass coral bleaching has been documented in at least 83 countries and territories.”
Have questions about recycling, or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests Recyclelady7@gmail.com. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.
