The Cost of Going Green
I find it interesting, all the debate about “how green is recycling”. some say recycling saves the environment while others say recycling has an overall greater negative impact on the environment (when collection, transportation, cleaning, and processing are considered into the equation).
Today, I headed off to Staples to get some paper - needed to print off a safe copy of my tax return (so much for the ‘green-ness’ of e-filing).
So, my choices were $3.47 for the “quality printer and copy paper” or $3.99 for “30% recycled copy paper” or $4.99 for “100% recycled copy paper”.
I decided to put my money where mouth is. I look forward to seeing if it handles well in my printer. I say “look forward” because the packaging implied it is good for copying but does not say about printing (which is clearly marked of the cheapest option). Another positive note is the paper is acid free and the processing uses no chlorine.
| 30% recycled copy paper | 100% recycled copy paper |
| 13% less energy used | 43% less energy used |
| 11% fewer greenhouse gas emissions | 36% fewer greenhouse gas emissions |
| 14% less water used | 49% less water used |
