Friends of the Earth: FAQs: Is it better to buy recycled or virgin paper?

Is it better to buy recycled or virgin paper?

Virgin paper commonly comes from pulped wood. Recycled paper is produced partly or wholly from re-used paper products.

We recommend that you buy recycled and don't get put off by the myths.

Some stockists may have been influenced by misinformation put out by the virgin paper industry. They may tell you that recycled paper is:

Poor quality
Not suitable for the job
More polluting.

None of these are true.

If paper is recycled the amount of waste going to landfill is cut. It also means less timber is used - which means less trees felled.

The amount of energy needed to produce recycled paper is much lower than for virgin paper.

Both jobs and the economy would benefit from increased paper recycling.

Try to:

Reduce the amount of paper you use - make more use of e-mail.
Reuse old paper - print on both sides.
Recycle paper products - use local recycling facilities.

For the facts and the figures about recycled paper, see our briefing - Exposing the Myths.

More information on sourcing recycled paper

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Last modified
Content: August 2006