Environmental Responsibility
Wood is something we all use in our daily lives. Wood is made into things like paper products, furniture, buildings, pencils, photographic film, and even food additives that end up in cheeses, cake mixes, and ice cream! Some of the wood we use for these products comes from very old trees that live in ancient rainforests. These ancient, or old growth, rainforests have been standing for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. They are home to millions of types of animals, plants, insects and even people! When old growth forests are logged to make products for us to use, many animals lose their home, or habitat. Sometimes these animal species become extinct. Many native or indigenous peoples lose the land that their families have lived on for thousands of years. Some logging companies say that they replant the trees they cut down. While planting trees is always a good thing to do, we must remember that planting trees in an area that has been clear-cut is not the same as planting a forest. A forest is much more than just the trees it contains. While it is possible for a company to replant trees, it is impossible for the company to replant an ancient forest full of all the plants, animals, insects, and people that once lived there. Since cutting down trees for wood is one of the main reasons old growth forests around the world are being destroyed, we must find ways to use fewer wood products in our daily lives. There are many easy things that we can do to help. Because one quarter of all the trees that are cut down are used to make paper, using less paper is a great way to help save our ancient forests. Here are some ways that you can use less paper:
* Write on both sides of every piece of paper, and try to use scratch paper or half-sheets whenever possible. Recycle paper when you are finished with it.
* Use cloth napkins at home and bring them when you travel or pack lunches instead of paper napkins.
* Take a canvas bag to the grocery store instead of using paper bags.
* Use Synthetic Chamois / Shammy Cloths at home instead of paper towels for cleaning jobs, windows, etc.
* Use real cups and plates instead of paper ones.
Also, when purchasing paper at the store, try to buy paper that says 100% postconsumer recycled paper on the label. Better yet, buy 100% tree-free paper. Tree-free paper is made from plants like kenaf, hemp, bamboo, cotton, flax, banana stalks, and even bagasse, which comes from sugarcane. Tree-free paper can also be made from farmers leftovers like cornstalks and wheat straw. Normally, farmers burn or bury these leftovers. Instead, they can sell them to factories that will make tree-free paper from this agricultural waste. Tree-free paper can be hard to find and it may be more expensive than wood-based paper. However, as more people buy tree-free paper, the price will eventually drop and it will become easier to find.
Being environmentally responsible can also save you money. The average family uses 1-3 rolls of paper towels per week. At an average cost of $1 per roll, that can easily add up to over $150 a year!! So stop throwing your cash in the trash and use Shammy cloths instead!
Wood is something we all use in our daily lives. Wood is made into things like paper products, furniture, buildings, pencils, photographic film, and even food additives that end up in cheeses, cake mixes, and ice cream! Some of the wood we use for these products comes from very old trees that live in ancient rainforests. These ancient, or old growth, rainforests have been standing for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. They are home to millions of types of animals, plants, insects and even people! When old growth forests are logged to make products for us to use, many animals lose their home, or habitat. Sometimes these animal species become extinct. Many native or indigenous peoples lose the land that their families have lived on for thousands of years. Some logging companies say that they replant the trees they cut down. While planting trees is always a good thing to do, we must remember that planting trees in an area that has been clear-cut is not the same as planting a forest. A forest is much more than just the trees it contains. While it is possible for a company to replant trees, it is impossible for the company to replant an ancient forest full of all the plants, animals, insects, and people that once lived there. Since cutting down trees for wood is one of the main reasons old growth forests around the world are being destroyed, we must find ways to use fewer wood products in our daily lives. There are many easy things that we can do to help. Because one quarter of all the trees that are cut down are used to make paper, using less paper is a great way to help save our ancient forests. Here are some ways that you can use less paper:
* Write on both sides of every piece of paper, and try to use scratch paper or half-sheets whenever possible. Recycle paper when you are finished with it.
* Use cloth napkins at home and bring them when you travel or pack lunches instead of paper napkins.
* Take a canvas bag to the grocery store instead of using paper bags.
* Use Synthetic Chamois / Shammy Cloths at home instead of paper towels for cleaning jobs, windows, etc.
* Use real cups and plates instead of paper ones.
Also, when purchasing paper at the store, try to buy paper that says 100% postconsumer recycled paper on the label. Better yet, buy 100% tree-free paper. Tree-free paper is made from plants like kenaf, hemp, bamboo, cotton, flax, banana stalks, and even bagasse, which comes from sugarcane. Tree-free paper can also be made from farmers leftovers like cornstalks and wheat straw. Normally, farmers burn or bury these leftovers. Instead, they can sell them to factories that will make tree-free paper from this agricultural waste. Tree-free paper can be hard to find and it may be more expensive than wood-based paper. However, as more people buy tree-free paper, the price will eventually drop and it will become easier to find.
Being environmentally responsible can also save you money. The average family uses 1-3 rolls of paper towels per week. At an average cost of $1 per roll, that can easily add up to over $150 a year!! So stop throwing your cash in the trash and use Shammy cloths instead!
