Trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and wood. Through this process, carbon dioxide is converted into stored carbon, hence, why trees are sometimes referred to as 'carbon sinks'. By taking this carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, trees clean the air and offset our polluting lifestyles, reducing our carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. Recycling paper is a cost-effective means of acquiring raw material and greatly reduces the need to cut down trees. It's been known for many years that paper can be recycled, using the reclaimed fibre to make new consumer goods for the marketplace. In today's world, recycling makes good economic and environmental sense and it's Green...by Nature. Recycled paper reduces water pollution by 35%, reduces air pollution by 74% and eliminates many toxic pollutants. Did you know... The typical employee generates about 1.5 pounds of paper every day. 77% of paper waste generated in offices is recyclable high-grade office paper. One ton of high-grade recyclable paper can substitute for approximately three tons of wood in making new paper products. Every four tons of recycled paper saves the equivalent amount of energy needed to heat an average-sized home for an entire year.

What can be made from recycled paper? The majority of recovered paper is recycled back into paper and paperboard products by manufactures such as Cascades With a few exceptions, recovered paper is generally recycled into a grade similar to, or of lower quality than, the grade of the original product. For example, old corrugated cardboard boxes are used to make new recycled corrugated cardboard boxes and boxboard (eg. cereal and frozen food boxes). Recovered printing and writing paper can be used to make new recycled copy paper. Office paper is recycled into office paper, tissue paper, paper towels and toilet paper. To learn more about these products, please visit Cascades. Newspaper is recycled into newspaper, game boards, egg cartons, gift boxes, animal bedding, insulation and packaging material. Close The Loop - Buy Recycled! Buying recycled paper and products made from recycled paper fibre is an equally important step in the recycling process - it closes the recycling loop. Even though trees are a renewable resource, much energy and landfill space can be conserved when we buy recycled content paper. When buying recycled content paper, remember to look for the highest percentage of post-consumer waste content (the largest percentage of waste paper used to make the new, recycled-content paper). To learn more about some of the many new products made from recycled paper fibre METRO collects, please visit Cascades.