Definition

• Recycled paper is paper that is made by reusing waste paper fiber. Waste paper can come from the manufacturing process or it can come from recycling programs including post consumer waste. Recycled paper that contains post-consumer waste is the most environmentally beneficial.
  
  

Wood Use

• Virgin (or non-recycled) paper is made from wood pulp. For every ton of paper manufactured, three tons of wood are needed for virgin paper. Recycled paper made from 100 percent post consumer waste uses no wood.
  
  

Energy

• Making paper from recycled fibers uses less overall energy. According to the Environmental Paper Network, one ton of virgin paper uses 38 million BTUs of energy. Paper made from 100 percent post consumer waste uses 17 million fewer BTUs.
  
  

Water

• The paper-making process uses a great deal of water. Paper mills that make recycled paper create almost 50 percent less waste water than their virgin paper counterparts.
  
  

Solid Waste

• Solid waste reduction is another benefit of paper recycling. Recycling paper saves valuable landfill space. One ton of 100 percent recycled paper saves 2.5 cubic yards of landfill space.