Our waste is related to climate change, so that an optimal management of them, as well as responsible consumption, allows us to reduce the possible negative effects of their degradation processes in the environment. All matter produced in nature returns to it decomposed and reabsorbed by the environment, so it is part of the natural cycles. However, it is increasingly difficult to properly treat the waste we generate, since we increase the amount of them and vary their composition (plastics, metals, paper, etc.), thus increasing the danger and toxicity of said waste degradation.
In this ecology article, we bring you detailed information about the recycling, reuse and degradation of one of the waste most generated by human beings: paper. Continue reading and you will discover how long does the paper take to degrade.
How long does the paper take to degrade – the answer
The used paper takes 1 year to degrade. Compared to other groups of waste that we usually produce, the paper has a relatively low period of degradation. Next, some specific examples of other materials are indicated and the time it takes to disappear from nature once we convert them into “Dump”to get a more accurate idea of these differences in degradation times between the different groups of waste:
- Used paper: 1 year
- Chapes: 1-2 years
- Chewing gum: 5 years
- Refresco cans: 200-500 years
- Glass bottles: more than 5,000 years
If you want to learn more about how long the waste or waste can be degraded you can consult this other ecology article. In the next sections we will continue to give information about the degradation of the paper, the importance of its recycling, as well as different ideas to reuse it.
Why it is important to recycle paper
The time of permanence of paper and other waste in the environment, entails diverse Environmental problems associated, such as soil, water and air pollution; as well as the increased risk of forest fires, health risks and the alteration of the life cycles of animals and plants.
Specifically, Recycling of paper favors reductions in Forest deforestation integers dedicated to the exploitation of paper and wood. Therefore, recycling the paper contributes to each time the thousands of hectares used in different countries around the world for paper exploitation, as well as reducing pollution because of ink and other chemicals used in the papers we use in our day to day.
Besides, Use recycled paper Faced with the use of new production paper, it involves numerous advantages, such as the reduction of the amount of trees and kilograms of wood as raw material to produce it, and the reduction of the liters of water and energy consumed for paper production. In this other article we talk about what is the environmental impact of paper production and in this other post you can expand information on why it is important to recycle paper and cardboard.
Continue reading the next sections of this interesting article to discover how to reuse and recycle the role, thus avoiding that the degradation of the paper contributes to the current and future environmental problems.
How to reuse paper
In recent years, numerous advertising campaigns focused on waste management warn us that “the best residue is the one that is not generated” and, to emphasize this statement, the reuse of products such as paper, is essential.
Beyond the classic reuse of folios to “one face” for another purpose, printed papers can be used both to decorate and manufacture Christmas and congratulations cardsas well as to do Crafts and Collage. Another useful way to reuse paper is the use of newspaper and magazines to wrap gifts and fragile objects that we want to transport.
Without a doubt, the limits of the paper reuse They will be marked only by the limits of our imagination.
How to recycle paper – What container does it go?
He Blue container is dedicated to Recycling of paper and cardboard waste. By depositing the paper residues that we will no longer use, we are favoring that this material can be recycled up to 6 times, without the cellulose fibers of the same losing quality. When depositing paper and/or cardboard waste in the blue container, we must take into account the following tips:
- If the paper or cardboard is stained with organic remains (such as fat or oil), we must deposit them in the generic or rejection container (usually gray).
- The cardboard boxes of medications should be deposited in pharmacies, so that they can follow their specific recycling towards the production of new boxes of pharmaceutical products.
- Whenever we can, we must opt for the use of recycled paper, instead of buying new non -recycled paper.
- As for the books that are in good condition but we do not want, instead of recycling them in the blue container, we can give them, donate them or take them to some second -hand books or make “Bookcrossing”, the wonderful and ingenious practice of leaving books in public places to collect other readers, with the possibility of taking your other in exchange.
If you want to learn more on the topic of paper recycling, check out this other article on how to recycle paper at step step by step.
If you want to read more articles similar to How long does the paper take to degradewe recommend that you enter our recycling and waste management category.
- Rodríguez, R., Gómez, N., Zarauza, P. & Benítez, AM (2013) Environmental Education, Waste and Recycling. Ministry of Environment and Planning of the Territory of the Junta de Andalucía, Ecoembes & Ecovidrio.
- Rodríguez, G. & Imagina Team, Education and Leisure (2015) University Guide of Environmental Education on Waste and Recycling. Andalusia Ecocampus.