|
LISTENING
STUDY Question 69:
Is there an optimal amount of virgin tree fiber that
should go into paper to ensure high quality/optimal
performance?
LISTENING
STUDY: Most responses indicate that paper needs to contain
some virgin tree fiber but that the specific amount
may depend on the paper grade and could decrease with
more research.
Wood
fibers can be recycled only five to seven times before
they become too short and brittle to be made into new
paper. At that point, new fiber must be mixed with fiber
from recycled paper to form new paper products. Consequently,
if the supply of virgin fiber were completely eliminated,
the supply of recycled paper would systematically shrink
until it too was completely eliminated. To sustain the
supply of recycled paper, virgin fiber must constantly
be added to the mix. - Boise
Cascade
The
"optimal" amount of virgin fiber varies based on paper
grade and use. However, the quality and performance
of postconsumer recycled content papers has increased
dramatically over the last several years. Our research
has shown that papers with high levels of postconsumer
content meet the same quality and performance levels
as virgin. - Victoria Mills, Project Manager, Corporate
Partnerships, Environmental Defense
Recent
tests confirm that 30% postconsumer recycled office
papers can match the quality specifications of virgin
for copy paper. - Cefola 2001
Every
paper grade has its own specific formula for creation.
Different paper grades and products will require different
amounts of fiber. - International Paper
I
would need to see studies that compare the quality and
performance of papers made from various sources such
as old growth trees, plantation and second growth trees,
hemp, straw, kenaf... - Susan Hammond, Executive
Director, Silva Forest Foundation
No,
it varies, and with appropriate priority placed on research,
that percentage should continually decrease. - Frank
Locantore, Co-op America
Yes,
this depends on the type of paper made. Some papers
that require significant strength or are very lightweight
have higher requirements for virgin fiber. Generally
speaking, the recycled fiber content can increase for
papers requiring less strength. - Stora Enso
|
