Md. Saffat Hossain

Paper, a substance we all interact with daily. There’s no need to define it separately, but its impact on the environment is significant. We use paper produced in various colors, sizes, and compositions for our daily needs. We know that paper is made from wood, leaves, bark, cloth, and other waste materials. In some cases, animal skin is used as a raw material for paper. Its price varies according to its material, color, and size. Regardless of the price we pay for this paper, the environment pays a hefty price. Paper is used in everything from educational materials and office work to product packaging. And to produce this massive amount of paper, trees are being cut down. However, trees are not being planted as needed, and the amount that is planted is negligible.

According to one estimate, a 45-foot tall tree with an 8-inch diameter can produce 10,000 sheets of paper. 10,000 sheets! It might seem like a big number. But our daily demand for paper is many times more than that. Again, it takes 8–10 years for a planted tree to reach maturity. That is, we have to wait 8 to 10 years to get back the tree that was used to produce paper today. But in this long time, millions more trees will be cut down.

And since forests are being destroyed every day for habitation, in the near future, the environment may not be able to recover those trees. After knowing all this, one might wonder, what is the solution to this problem? Both paper producers and consumers need to work to solve this problem. The first step is 'paper recycling'. The paper used for writing can be used as various packaging materials, and later, manufacturing companies can produce paper again from these used papers. In addition to paper production, these old papers can also be used as raw materials for producing various types of tissues. Next, it is the responsibility of the consumers.

We usually use white paper for writing. White paper is also used in various printing works. Most of these white papers are directly produced from trees, bark, or leaves. On the other hand, most off-white or other colored papers are produced from recycled materials. What can we understand from this? The more white paper is used, the more trees will be cut down to supply it. If we use recycled paper for our needs instead of white paper, the number of trees cut down for the production of white paper will decrease. And the price of this recycled paper is less than white paper. If we can reduce the use of paper in our daily needs, it can also be a significant step. Instead, we can use environmentally friendly digital devices to write down various information. If digital media are used for verification or authentication of various information in offices, the use of paper can be significantly reduced.

The use of paper can be further reduced if e-books are used instead of printed textbooks in educational media, as the use of paper in office documents, textbooks, and paperwork is significant. However, no alternative can be found for the examination system right now. And even if it is created, it will be a very expensive matter in the initial stages of use. A different step could be taken in this case. Recycled paper can be used in the examination process. This will reduce the impact on trees or forests for paper production, even if the use of paper does not decrease. And white paper can be used to create certificates or other important documents, and at the same time, everyone should think about alternatives.

We have already learned that it takes about 8 to 10 years for a tree to reach a fairly mature state. This time is vast. But one alternative could be the fast-growing plant "Bamboo". After planting bamboo, it takes up to 3 months to reach maturity. The use of bamboo as a raw material for paper production is both easy and the quality of the produced paper is also better. The use of bamboo to supply the essential paper can be a timely initiative. Finally, everyone must remember that in the production of any product, maximum utilization of materials and minimum pollution are essential. Since there is no alternative to this earth, it is imperative to protect and conserve this earth. So, plant trees, take care of them and, save the environment.

The writer is a, Student of Master’s of Science(MS), Geography and Environment. Coordinator, Sustainable Action and Impact Network