--- title: 3 Reasons Why Paper Recycling Matters - NORPAC description: Learn why paper recycling is essential for sustainability, reducing waste, and conserving resources. image: https://www.norpacpaper.com/hubfs/shutterstock_617802212.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog/3-reasons-why-paper-recycling-matters#main-content) [![North Pacific Paper Company](https://www.norpacpaper.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/NORPAC/images/Logo_header.svg "North Pacific Paper Company")](https://norpacpaper.com) - Products - [Graphic Papers](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/graphic-papers) - [Business & Office Papers](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/business-and-office-papers) - [Natural Choice Paper](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/graphic-papers/business-office/natural-choice/) - [Orca Copy Paper](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/graphic-papers/business-office/orca-copy-paper) - [Book Papers](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/graphic-papers/book-papers) - [Super Brights & High Brights](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/graphic-papers/super-brights-high-bright) - [Uncoated Freesheet](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/graphic-papers/uncoated-freesheet) - [Offset Papers](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/request-offset-paper-samples) - [Packaging](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/packaging) - [Containerboard](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/packaging/containerboard) - [Bag Grades / Kraft Specialties](https://www.norpacpaper.com/products/packaging/bag-grades-kraft-specialties) - [Sustainability](https://www.norpacpaper.com/sustainability-and-environmental-responsibility) - [NORPAC Recycles ](https://norpacrecycles.com/) - [Blog](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog) - [Resources](https://www.norpacpaper.com/resources) - [Visiting the Mill](https://www.norpacpaper.com/resources/visiting-the-mill) - [Safety at NORPAC](https://www.norpacpaper.com/resources/safety-at-norpac) - [Contractor Safety](https://www.norpacpaper.com/resources/contractor-safety) - Terms & Conditions - [Customer Terms & Conditions](https://www.norpacpaper.com/resources/terms-and-conditions/customer-terms-conditions) - [Supplier Terms & Conditions](https://www.norpacpaper.com/resources/terms-and-conditions/supplier-terms-and-condition) - [Logistics](https://www.norpacpaper.com/logistics) - [Service & Office Hours](https://www.norpacpaper.com/resources/service-office-hours) - [Careers](https://www.norpacpaper.com/careers) [ Contact Us ](https://www.norpacpaper.com/contact-us-norpac) [ Request Sample ](https://www.norpacpaper.com/request-sample-norpac) # 3 Reasons Why Paper Recycling Matters ![recycling](https://www.norpacpaper.com/hubfs/shutterstock_617802212.jpg) [ NORPAC team ](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog/author/norpac-team) - Mar 16, 2022 10:03:21 AM [Blog](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog/tag/blog) The art of paper recycling dates to 1031. At the time, mulberry, gampi, and hemp were typically used to make paper. Due to material and labor shortages at the time, as well as a reshuffling of the social classes, Japanese shops needed new materials to make paper. Some of the first recorded paper recycling [occurred in 1031](https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?entryid=3977) when it became common practice. This process evolved until recycled paper even made its way into books used in the Imperial Japanese Library.  It is safe to say that the process of paper recycling—and its importance—have evolved quite a bit since 1031. These days, educating people on the world of paper recycling is crucial to slowing climate change, supporting biodiversity, and so much more. That is why NORPAC is installing equipment that will allow us to recycle [1 million tons of waste paper](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog/stop-wishcycling-how-to-effectively-reduce-reuse-and-recycle) every year starting in July 2022. To highlight the importance of this equipment, we have assembled a guide to why paper recycling matters, and how it impacts our planet.   ### 1. Save Energy Paper shows up everywhere. Whether you are printing legal documents, unwrapping a package delivered to your home, or taking a receipt from the gas station, paper is an integral foundation of modern life. And it is a much better alternative to other materials, such as plastic.   Recycling one ton of paper saves [4,000 kilowatts of energy](https://www.treehugger.com/the-benefits-of-paper-recycling-1204139). That is enough energy to power an average household in the United States for six months! This approach to energy conservation helps us use energy where it truly matters. ### 2. Cut Carbon Emissions By comparison, collecting recyclable paper and transforming it into a new product is a relatively low-energy process. [Recycling paper matters](https://ecology.wa.gov/Waste-Toxics/Reducing-recycling-waste/How-to-recycle/Recycle-Right) because you are keeping it out of the landfill.   When more paper is added to landfills, it produces methane. This is a powerful greenhouse gas that is proven to contribute to global warming. When trash decomposes in the landfill, this produces methane. Methane negatively contributes to issues involving greenhouse gases and the ever-thinning ozone layer that is crucial to a hospitable planet.  When paper is recycled, it reduces the amount of methane in the atmosphere. This helps slow global warming, which is crucial to maintaining a habitable planet. ### 3. Reduce Landfills The United States produces [268,000,000 tons of trash](https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/one-giant-landfill.htm#:~:text=If%20you%20keep%20filling%20up,with%20trash%20400%20feet%20deep.) in a given year. 12% of that number is composed of paper and paperboard products. For every ton of paper that is recycled, there are 3.3 fewer cubic yards of a landfill that is created.   Why is this important? Many landfills are not well-designed. They often contaminate soil and groundwater. This negatively impacts the environment, local communities, wildlife, flora, and fauna.   In the United States, our landfill problem is out of control. In some locations, landfills are so big that you can see them from space! It is hard to imagine, but the reality is we are running out of space for all the garbage we generate.    At NORPAC, our sustainable practices and emphasis on recycling help create a healthier environment and a safer planet. To learn more about what we do, [contact us today](https://www.norpacpaper.com/contact-us?hsCtaTracking=cf7d7a54-0e60-45e8-988d-ceef2585749d%7Cec7b9703-1dbb-48ce-a73e-6081558ff14c)!  [![](https://www.norpacpaper.com/hubfs/Stop%20Wishcycling%20%E2%80%94%20How%20To%20Effectively%20Reduce%2c%20Reuse%2c%20And%20Recycle.jpg) ](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog/stop-wishcycling-how-to-effectively-reduce-reuse-and-recycle) #### [Stop Wishcycling — How to Effectively Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog/stop-wishcycling-how-to-effectively-reduce-reuse-and-recycle) In any given year, 2.12 billion tons of trash is created globally, which means trash bags,... [![environmentally friendly](https://www.norpacpaper.com/hubfs/shutterstock_1064192039.jpg) ](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog/is-paper-recycling-worth-it) #### [Is Paper Recycling Worth It?](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog/is-paper-recycling-worth-it) 13% of Americans don’t recycle at all. Even those who do recycle can be confused about what should... [![](https://www.norpacpaper.com/hubfs/MicrosoftTeams-image.png) ](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog/how-recycling-paper-protects-our-environment) #### [How Recycling Paper Protects Our Environment](https://www.norpacpaper.com/blog/how-recycling-paper-protects-our-environment) Keeping Paper Out of Landfills Our day often starts and ends with paper. From the paper cups we use... 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