The vast benefits of recycling paper

It's something we use everyday, and as one of the largest sources of recyclable goods that we have on earth, it's extremely important to reuse as much paper as possible.

Like all renewable goods, there are many benefits to recycling paper. First, it helps to reduce greenhouse gases and methane emissions and reduces the energy needed while creating paper products. It also saves a significant amount of space in landfills and decreases the need for disposal processes. And of course, it also saves trees as well.

According to an American Forest and Paper Association report from 2007, approximately 37 percent of the raw materials used in the manufacturing process is recovered paper. With strong demand from overseas for U.S. recovered paper, that number is expected to rise dramatically throughout coming years. While a piece of paper cannot be recycled indefinitely, it can be used between five to seven times before the fibers become too short to bond together into new materials.

Besides regular paper products, other items are constructed from recovered paper as well. These include masking tape, paper money, coffee filters, hospital gowns, lamp shades, car insulation, globes, bandages, egg cartons, animal bedding, planting pots and dust masks.

Paper can be recycled through a number of different venues, with household bins being the most popular choice. Any item that contains paper - including newspapers, books, cardboard, magazines, catalogs, brochures and envelopes, among others - can be placed into one of these receptacles for reuse. Community recycling centers are also available in most towns and will also accept these items and dispose of them properly.

Don't wait - help keep the environment happy and start recycling your paper products today.