Coated paper is paper that has been treated with a thin coat of clay or other compound on one or both sides, giving it tremendous versatility for countless products. It is one of the fastest growing segments of the world’s paper industry and, in the last few years, its production in developing countries has expanded exponentially. Since 1990, the Chinese paper industry alone has accounted for fifty percent of overall growth in the market for coated paper. Read the Full Story
These days, millions of people telecommute to work on a part or full time basis, saving over 800 million gallons of gas per year. The paper products that their employers utilize, however, could clock tens of thousands of miles and carry a carbon footprint that nullifies these efforts.
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No matter the oft-cited reports of China’s toxic environmental record, the world’s most populous country is proudly putting decidedly green final touches on its preparations for the Olympics, which spring to life August 8th. read the full story
From Vietnam to Brazil, from China to Africa, blowing the whistle on Illegal logging has proved difficult and all too often, dismally ineffective. Meanwhile, the decimation of forests for paper and other timber-based industries has resulted in a disastrous acceleration of species loss and increased greenhouse gases. Just this month, Vietnam reported illegal, freshly downed logs being smuggled straight from the forests onto passenger trains to be sold to manufacturers. read the full story
While fuel management and conservation is (or at least should be) on everyone’s mind, many portions of the imported paper industry seem to be making little effort to conserve resources and protect our environment.
For example, it is well known that the Chinese paper producers simply cannot produce enough pulp to feed its paper manufacturing system. Its factories import supplemental wood and scrap paper from as far away as the United States, and then ship completed products back across the ocean. The distance from Los Angeles to Shanghai by sea is 6,438 miles, and 6,945 miles from New York to the western border of China. This means that the fiber in a lot of imported paper products has traveled as much as 12-14,000 miles in their production life cycle before being sent by land to you. read the full story
Since its humble beginnings in China over 2000 years ago, the cleaning and transformation of pulp into paper has evolved into an integral component of almost everything we manufacture, label or ship, and central to communications everywhere. No doubt about it, paper products have forged a unique partnership with modern man. And, like any successful partnership, in order to thrive in the long run, all parties must find ways to work together in a responsible manner. read the full story
Need it, use it? We all do… But, as populations and demand grow, how paper products are produced matters more each year. North American paper mills have made tremendous strides in advancing sustainability and protecting the environment. However, some mega-exporters in places like Indonesia, China and South Korea often engage in manufacturing practices that can accelerate the deterioration of our precious resources. read the full story
Buy it, read it, write on it, print on it, send or file it. In messaging and in manufacturing, paper is easy to take for granted, yet its production can have far-reaching repercussions on the health of our country and the planet.
While the short-term enticement of cheap products from some parts of Asia might appear to help American and Canadian companies, and in turn help consumers cut a few corners, the big picture may not be quite as rosy. The depletion of our natural resources, the diminishing quality of our air and water supplies, a loss of jobs domestically and questionable work conditions in faraway nations may add up to a hefty price for unregulated paper. Clearly, “cost” is in the eye of the beholder. read the full story
