Feb
26
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Going green, recycling, and saving the planet are common topics in the news today. However, one industry many would not consider to be green is the paper industry. However, I have found some fun facts which prove how green the paper industry really can be.
What if I told you, according to the EPA’s website, recycling one ton of paper would:
- Save enough energy to power the average American home for six months.
- Save 7,000 gallons of water.
- Save 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one metric ton of carbon equivalent (MTCE).
Doesn’t this make recycling paper more appealing? Just imagine how many resources could be saved if everyone recycled their paper instead of simply tossing it in the trash.
I try to recycle as often as I can. However, I know it can be a difficult task. Some communities do not have easily assessable recycling centers and sometimes saving all that paper can seem to add unnecessary clutter. On the other hand, it seems to be well worth the extra effort.
Paperrecycles.org provides many charts that depict the rates of paper recovery in various aspects of the paper industry. While visiting the website, be sure to take the interactive and informative quiz that provides fun facts about paper recycling.
So next time you go to throw that old newspaper or stash of office papers away, maybe take a second to consider your alternatives.
For more facts about the benefits of paper recycling, check out the EPA’s website.
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Feb
19
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What if you woke up tomorrow and were no longer able to get a newspaper or your weekly dose of store ads? Waking up on Sunday morning, drinking a cup of coffee, and reading the Sunday paper is a routine for many people in America. Even though the popularity of print newspapers is slowly declining, how many people are really willing to give up newspapers?
I personally don’t know what I would do if I woke up and did not have any ads to sit in my recliner and flip through on Sunday morning. It’s a way for me to keep up with the times, relax, and look for the great deal of the week!
With today’s ever growing technological world, many newspapers are making the transition from paper to electronic copies. Granted searching for particular items via the Internet is much faster and provides a great way to search for many items simultaneously, it’s just not quite the same as flipping through the actual newspaper and ads.
Another potential problem with online only newspapers and ads is not everyone has easy access to the Internet. The cost of Internet varies greatly; however, it is not nearly as cost-effective as purchasing a daily or weekly newspaper. Some people may not be able to afford Internet, but they probably can afford a newspaper or newspaper subscription.
A different problem comes into play with the aging and elderly populations. Many may have never learned how to use a computer or may have disabilities that don’t allow them to use a computer, such as arthritis, eyesight problems, etc.
So let’s support the newspaper industry. It’s a great resource and would be a devastating loss to our society if all newspapers were forced to become Internet-only.
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Feb
14
What’s the most important piece of paper in your life? 1,000 adults in the U.S. were surveyed (http://www.boisechoices.com/pieces-of-paper), and their responses included everything from medical records to stock certificates. But the Big 3 were official documents that we all know well:
- Their own birth certificate
- Their marriage license
- Their Social Security card
I thought it would be more fun to expand this question to include some one-of-a-kind pieces of paper that have stood out in my life. With this expanded view, my list includes:
- a Johnny Unitas autograph on the back of a business card (my dad obtained it for me at a Green Bay Packer game in Milwaukee)
- my high school and college diplomas
- the offer letter for my first job out of college
- the many homemade Father’s Day cards my kids have made for me through the years
- the last picture of my dad and me (taken a week before he died) which is placed on a bulletin board right behind the monitor I am using right now in my office
What are the most important (or unique) pieces of paper in your life? Add your comments and keep the discussion alive!
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Feb
14
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I received an envelope from State Farm. The motto on the envelope is “A Good Neighbor is a Green Neighbor.” There is also a bit of text on the lower left asking me to “GO PAPERLESS!” I was just wondering, if I decide not to GO PAPERLESS, will State Farm still want me as a neighber? The implication is that I am Bad Neighbor because I am not Green.
The envelope was for a privacy policy mailing. I thought it odd that State Farm thinks that online statements or email notifications are more private than paper mailings. I definitely do not think so. Anyone walking by my computer could look in my emails. Unless of course I “lock my computer” each time I walked away, which probably uses more energy. Also, aren’t there Trojan Horses and such that can break into my computer and see what I am doing? I have definitely had viruses on my computer, but no identity theft yet, that I am aware of.
Further, isn’t it more efficient for State Farm to print out my statements and privacy notices than for me to do it? I use more expensive inkjet inks and cut sheets. StateFarm probably produces it from a roll and uses ink bought in bulk. I would think that having StateFarm mail me statements is being Green.
Therefore I will be a Good Neighbor and a “Green” neighbor by having StateFarm continue sending me paper notices and statements via the method that I most trust and is most reliable – mail via the USPS!
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Feb
14
Parents don’t usually send their children to school with e-valentines nor do people hand their significant other a bouquet of flowers and say, “Check your e-mail. I sent you an e-card.” With today’s technological world, sometimes it’s nice to receive a paper card in person or through the mail.
E-cards are appropriate and uplifting in many situations. However, printing an e-card and holding a Valentine’s Day card are two entirely different things. Even though both are made from paper and designed for the same reason, it lacks a certain meaning. There is something special about being able to hold a paper card in your hand. It is something that can be treasured for years to come, be placed in a scrapbook, recycled or simply tossed in the trash. Whether a valentine says “I love you” or “thanks for being my friend,” a valentine holds a special meaning.
According to The Greeting Card Association (GCA), approximately 160 million Valentine’s Day cards will be purchased this year. GCA believes the number of cards sold will be up slightly from last year because more cards tend to be exchanged when Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday.
Here are some fun facts about the history of Valentine’s Day from GCA’s website.
- Valentine greeting cards have been exchanged since the Middle Ages in Europe.
- Ester Howland was among the first to publish and sell paper Valentine’s Day Cards in America in 1850.
- Valentine’s Day is the second most popular card-sending holiday, behind Christmas.
So this Valentine’s Day, show that special someone in your life you care by giving him or her a paper valentine.
IMAGE link: heart.gif via creativecommons.org
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