Many businesses have at least thought about converting to environmentally sustainable practices. Not only does this help protect the world we live in, but it helps both the business and its employees feel good knowing that trees are being used responsibly, forests are better protected, and our footprint on the world is reduced.
Recycled Paper
When most people think about sustainable paper, their first thought is using recycled paper. Recycling does save energy, preserve trees, and uses less space in landfills. However, there are downsides to recycling. Paper recycling uses more energy than plastic recycling, so it is less Earth-friendly. It also requires chemicals to remove ink before the paper is processed. Those chemicals and other solids (such as the ink itself and small fibers) still make their way into the landfill and potentially our water.
Recycling also encourages paper use. Yes, we need to use paper in many ways, but the best way to keep the environment safe is to reduce the use of paper itself. When you know you can just recycle any paper you use, you’re more likely to keep using the same amount.
The Alternative
Recycling is a good thing, even with its problems. But there are other ways to create a sustainable paper model while using high-quality paper that meets the needs of your business. Sustainability isn’t just about the environment, though that is a very large part of it. To be truly sustainable, environmental, social, and economic sustainability must work together.
The best sustainability model is earth-friendly first. After that, it meets the needs of society and the economy. With the right practices, we can use trees that make high quality paper without cutting down old-growth forests that are so important to our environment.
But it doesn’t end there. The trees should be harvested easily, be planted in a way and area that doesn’t interfere with nature, and use rainwater optimally. Beyond that, we should be able to make a large enough quantity to supply enough paper, and keep costs down enough to make this solution affordable.
Double A uses a hardwood that was specifically developed to be a sustainable paper tree. Years of research created a tree that creates the highest quality pulp and has qualities that make it ideal for sustainability. The Double A Paper-Tree matures quickly, in three to five years, meaning that we don’t need to cut old growth for our paper. Uniform, consistent growth and no taproot mean easy maintenance and maximum usability.
Best yet, this tree grows well in the unused crevices of rice paddies, so it doesn’t need premium space that should be occupied by the forests that protect and provide for wildlife. Fewer leaves allow sunlight to reach the rice crops.
During the manufacturing process, no water or part of the tree is wasted. Everything is converted into biomass fuels, which sustain the Double A manufacturing plant. Double A also pays farmers and local schools to plant and maintain the trees, which gives back to the local economy and supports the education system.
Sustainability is important. We only have one planet to live on, and we need to use its resources wisely. With the right eco-friendly practices, we can do that, creating a better paper for a better world.
