Eco-guilt

[Alex]

Yes, lots. They're generally easy to find.

Here's an overview of the research on recycling paper (note, not direct cite to studies). Recycling paper better than making new paper from newly harvest trees. Recycling paper not so clearly better than incinerating it for energy.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Alex

Here's an overview of the research on recycling paper (note, not direct cite to studies).

Just one small note on something in the article:

They also point out, correctly, that making virgin paper also involves a host of dodgy chemicals, particularly the bleach used to whiten the end product.

Those same chemicals (and more), ESPECIALLY the bleach, are used in the production of recycled paper (with the exception of the paragraph below).

One major difference not differentiated (even by me - my bad) is that the best use of recycled paper is in brown paper products: shopping bags, cardboard, etc. Where it is not good to use is for common office papers, printing papers, etc - basically where a white paper is needed.

[Drince88]

Yea, bleaching chemicals are not good on the environment, and recycled paper really is only good for 'brown' products. Though the EPA has done quite a bit of work in the last 10 years or so on really looking at the entire waste stream of the chemicals - to the point that the air regulations have wastewater limits.

[RStar]

Thanks Alex! I didn't have the time to look it up myself....

I have noticed that a lot of the recycled paper products out there are the cardboard boxes.