Paper is an essential material used in every aspect of our lives today. However, the environmental impact of paper production should not be overlooked. To protect limited forest resources and build a sustainable future, paper recycling is of vital importance.
In Turkey, despite limited forest and cellulose resources, the recycling rate of paper is around 50%. In developed countries, this rate reaches up to 75-80%. To make a larger contribution to nature and the economy, the goal should be to increase the recycling rate.
For the first time in Turkey’s tissue paper industry, the high-quality cellulose fibers, which make up 70% of beverage cartons, have been removed from waste and used to produce eco-friendly, value-added tissue papers from recycled cellulose. This not only creates an alternative raw material for the paper industry but also reintroduces a resource that was previously discarded and buried in landfills back into the economy and our world.
When used paper is thrown away, it decomposes in three months. Recycling used paper not only ensures a supply of raw materials but also contributes to the national economy.
Benefits of Paper Recycling to the Economy:
• Minimizing Tree Cutting: By reducing the need for raw materials, forest resources are conserved.
• Reduction in Raw Material Imports: Less dependency on foreign raw materials results in foreign currency savings.
• Waste Paper as a New Product: Waste paper is processed and used in the production of new products.
• Energy Savings: Toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins made from recycled paper save 30-50% more energy compared to those made from virgin raw materials.
• Reduction in Pollution: Using recycled paper in production reduces air pollution by 74-94%, water pollution by 35%, and water usage by 45%.
When one ton of used paper is recycled and reused in paper production, it provides the following environmental benefits annually:
• Carbon Dioxide Reduction: 12,400 m³ of CO₂ is avoided.
• Oxygen Production: 12,400 m³ of oxygen continues to be produced.
• Tree Conservation: 17 mature trees, which can meet the oxygen needs of 34 people, are preserved.
• Water Savings: Saves 32 m³ of water, equivalent to the monthly consumption of 3 families.
• Fuel Oil Savings: Saves 1,750 liters of fuel oil, which is the amount two families would consume to heat their homes during winter.
• Landfill Space Savings: 2.4 m³ of space in landfill sites is saved.
• Electricity Savings: Saves 4,100 kWh of electricity, which is the amount consumed by 20 families in one month.