I think this whole "go digital to save the trees" thing is utter bullshit, for the following reason:
- the digital revolution made people actually use more paper
- you get a shit ton of paper from a single tree; how much resources do you need to use to manufacture a computer, and keep it running?
- paper is recyclable
- as long as you keep recycling paper, it actually makes sense to plant trees and then cut it down - it sucks CO₂ out of the atmosphere and keeps it out
I remember a HP salesman telling me filing cabinet sales went through the roof as laser printers became more popular, he said the paperless office was as likely as the paperless toilet.
However I think that has turned around in recent years, worldwide paper production volumes are decreasing.
> worldwide paper production volumes are decreasing
That may be true of regular paper and/or the overall production of paper products, but with all the increased retail shipping I would be very surprised if it's true of cardboard.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), globally around 40 percent of the annual industrial wood harvest is processed for paper and paperboard.
The pulp and paper industry is the fourth largest industrial user of energy, consuming 6.4 EJ in 2005, and a significant emitter of greenhouse gas (source EIA report 2008).
Paper consumption has risen by 400% in the past 40 years.
35% of trees harvested are due to paper manufacture.
6.5+ million trees were cut down to make 16 billion paper cups used by US consumers, only for coffee, in 2006.
Paper waste accounts for up to 40% of total waste in the United States. 71.6 tons per year.
