Reducing our paper consumption
The forest is a living ecosystem, indispensable to the life cycle of a multitude of plants. It’s a vital space for many animal species. It improves air quality, filters water, reduces erosion and stabilizes the land, especially on hillsides or slopes. In other words, our forests are a vital part of our collective heritage in Quebec.
As you know, trees from the forest provide pulp to make paper. But did you know that paper is an energy-consuming product, and even a pollutant?
- Paper production requires considerable amounts of energy - electricity and other fuels. Think how much energy is used to cut down trees, convert them to paper and transport it to your office, your local school or a store in your neighbourhood.
- Each ton of paper produces hundreds of gallons of polluted water due to the chemicals used in its manufacture.
- Globally, 410 million tonnes of paper is produced annually which translates into 13 kg per second.
- In Montreal alone, 11,000 tonnes of print advertising is distributed each week. This equates to 45,000 trees, half of the trees in Mount Royal Park. Imagine the consumption level for all of Quebec. All that polluted water, not to mention greenhouse gases! No wonder Mother Nature rebels at times.
A social responsibility
Fortunately, nowadays, digital platforms are gradually replacing paper. Think on La Presse+ which replaced the paper version of the famous newspaper – because of its readers’ requests.
More and more companies are offering their customers digital solutions. For example, we can receive our utility, telephone and credit card bills electronically and pay them online. We can also manage our banking transactions by Internet - and even deposit a cheque by snapping a photograph on our phones.
By committing to transact business online, you help reduce tree-cutting, improve the quality of the environment by reducing greenhouse gases, and reduce waste and water pollution.
Saving the planet is everyone's business!
Sources :
Espace pour la vie: http://m.espacepourlavie.ca/reduire-notre-consommation-de-papier
Conso Globe: https://www.planetoscope.com/papier/379-consommation-mondiale-de-papier.html
Le Courrier Sud (lien en français seulement): https://www.lecourriersud.com/les-avantages-de-la-foret/