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For many years, the paper industry has been criticized as a major contributor to deforestation and wastewater pollution. Alternatives such as plastic paper and stone paper have been proposed to replace plant-based paper. However, throughout history, plant-based paper has remained the preferred choice for writing materials. Since its invention during the Han Dynasty in China, plant-based papermaking has endured for nearly 2,000 years due to its environmental advantages.
Firstly, plants-primarily wood in modern paper production-are renewable natural resources. With proper management, including sustainable harvesting and cultivation practices, wood can be continuously produced without depletion. The primary causes of deforestation include agricultural expansion, wildfires, and the use of wood for fuel. According to statistics, 75% of deforested land is used for agriculture, 3% is lost to fires, and 8% is consumed as fuel. Only 14% of deforested wood is utilized in industries such as construction, paper production, and packaging. Afforestation programs, particularly large-scale plantation forests developed since the 1970s (e.g., in Brazil), now serve as the primary source of wood for the paper industry. Countries like Finland, Indonesia, Chile, Argentina, and regions in China (e.g., Guangxi, Hunan, Hainan) are actively expanding these efforts.
Secondly, advancements in papermaking technology, such as chlorine-free bleaching processes, have significantly reduced environmental impacts by minimizing dioxin production. Waste paper recycling processes, including classification, storage, transportation, and deinking, have become increasingly efficient, making waste paper one of the "four major raw materials" for paper production alongside wood, grass, and other fibers. Additionally, paper's biodegradability makes it more environmentally friendly compared to plastics and CDs.
Historically, recycled paper usage dates back to the Song Dynasty in China. In his book *Tiangong Kaiwu*, Ming Dynasty scientist Song Yingxing described methods for producing recycled paper from waste paper. This practice highlights the early adoption of recycled paper in Chinese history. In contrast, Western countries began exploring waste paper recycling only in the early 19th century when British innovator Koops initiated experiments. Technological advancements, such as shredders, cleaning machines, and deinking technologies, further expanded the scope of waste paper utilization. By the 1970s, global ecological concerns spurred a surge in waste paper recycling projects, promoting circular economy principles.
The current production process for recycled paper involves dissociation, deinking, washing, bleaching, beating, seasoning, and manufacturing on paper machines. Contrary to common misconceptions, the quality of recycled paper does not necessarily degrade with reuse. During recycling, lignin gelatinization enhances fiber elasticity and strength. Adding chemical additives during processing can further improve physical properties, resulting in superior performance for certain indicators (e.g., loose thickness) and enhanced printing quality.
Using recycled paper significantly reduces resource and energy consumption. Statistics indicate that each ton of recycled paper saves approximately 3 cubic meters of wood and 0.3 tons of chemical raw materials. Producing recycled paper also eliminates several energy-intensive steps in traditional pulp production, saving 600 kWh of electricity, 1.2 tons of standard coal, and 100 cubic meters of water per ton of waste paper processed.
Pollutant emissions during recycled paper production are substantially lower than those from virgin wood pulp. Black liquor, a major pollutant in conventional pulping, is absent in waste paper pulping, reducing environmental impact. Intermediate water and white water pollutants are easier to manage, decreasing wastewater discharge by 50% and eliminating early-stage processes in papermaking. Compared to wood pulping, waste paper pulping reduces air pollution by 75% and water pollution by 35%.
Recycled paper also offers health benefits by reducing eye strain. Excessive paper whiteness and strong light reflection can harm readers. Studies suggest that paper with a whiteness of approximately 82 degrees is optimal for reading. Recycled paper, which typically has lower whiteness (grayish color), is often bleached to around 84 degrees, minimizing eye damage while maintaining readability.
