Reduce your excessive consumption of paper and contribute with the environment and community - Essay Example

However, there are alternatives to using excessive amounts of paper. Such alternatives are using both sides of the paper, or simply received documents online instead of taking up paper. The government needs to take the lead in combating unnecessary paper consumption by offering incentives to those who are environmentally friendly. Another way that the government can have an effect is to implement laws to reduce paper consumption. Paper manufacturing occurs in many different parts of the world and has a number of impacts on the environment.

One of these impacts is how it affects the planet, because paper manufacturing is an extremely energy intensive process. About half of the total energy used is in the pulping process, in addition to rolling and drying the pulp into paper. In 1973, the amount of energy needed to make one ream (500 sheets) of copy paper was equal to 3.7 gallons of gasoline. Because of today’s advanced technologies, the energy used to make the same amount of paper takes up just two gallons of gasoline (Zaida, 2000).

According to the U.S. Toxic Release Inventory Report published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pulp and paper mills are among the worst polluters to air, water, and land of any industry in the country (Martin, 2010). The principal concern for the industry is the chemicals that are used for this process, such as chlorine-based bleaches and the resultant toxic emissions to the air, water, and soil. Almost 4 billion trees or 35 percent of the total trees cut around the world are used in paper industries on every continent (Martin, 2010).

We use paper in many different ways—tissue paper, cardboard packaging, stereo speakers, electrical plugs, home insulation, and in the sole inserts in tennis shoes. In short, paper is everywhere. The percentage of paper consumption is growing every year in conjunction with an increasing population. However, there are alternatives to preventing the excessive consumption of paper. One of these choices is to use both sides of print paper. This is one way to help save Mother Earth without having to join Greenpeace or start holding protest marches in your neighborhood.

If your information is irrelevant and does not require formality, the information may be printed on both sides of the paper, not only to avoid the high consumption of energy and the harmful chemicals to nature, but also to save money for the cost of purchasing of paper (Arkin, 2010).  Another method is to take your name off mailing lists. It is estimated that over 700 million tons of mail is created each year via mailing lists and direct mailings (“Ways,” 2011). Contacting the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and registering with their Mail Preference Service provides an effective way for you to fight unwanted junk mail.

The DMA does not provide marketers with consumer mailing lists or carry out consumer mailings. You should avoid joining mailing lists by taking the precaution of not sending a form with your name and address to anyone. When filling out a form, such as a warranty, subscription, raffle, customer information card, credit card application, and membership for an organization, add the phrase "please do not rent, sell, or trade my name or address" next to the other information provided. The sales representative will then identify your name and preference in their computer.

Yet another way to fight excessive paper consumption