PAPER v TECHNOLOGY – WHICH IS BETTER FOR THE PLANET?

The vast majority of people think that not using paper is better for the planet but is it really?

Loo paper – how much is too much?

And have you heard about the trend to be ‘paper free’? Pop star Sheryl Crow is an advocate of helping the environment and tells us that when you go to the bathroom, one sheet of bog roll should be sufficient!

Public restroom with message ‘Save toilet paper’ (photo: Green Diosa)

At GREEN DIOSA we’ll give you some reasons for you to take into account when choosing your paper:

MANUFACTURING PAPER: wood is used and involves cutting down native trees. Currently, there is the option of obtaining wood, artificially, from forest plantations such as as pine and eucalyptus as species that grow fast, being more efficient. But when trees are chopped down despite later being replaced with other species there are also environmental consequences such as:

1. the natural habitat of rare or indigenous species or flora could perhaps be endangered or under threat of extinction.
2. pesticides and genetically modified seeds are used to improve industrial tree planting and to continue the wood production cycle.
3. the water is affected every time there is deforestation since the balance of the water table in the area is altered.

It is necessary to take into account, then, aspects such as biodiversity and other services that the ecosystem gives us also when we talk about forest plantations.

What other alternatives are there if I want to use toilet paper?

1. A good option would be to use loo rolls made from recycled paper. You would be avoiding cutting down trees and less energy would be consumed.

1. There is also paper made with alternative fibres that come from sugar cane leaves and also from bagasse (that is the pulpy residue left over from the extraction of the juice from the sugar cane).

Commit to reducing consumption and optimising its use and recycling

Mural showing process of manufacturing toilet paper (photo: Green Diosa)

Is recycled paper always ecological? If the production process is not clean, the recycled paper may not be as ecological as you might think. Obtaining the raw material (either wood or fibre) is not the end of the problem if we do no take into account the methods used for the production of paper. Its production process involves significant environmental impact since it consumes a large amount of water and energy. Furthermore, the atmosphere and water are contaminated with the different chemicals used.

WHAT ABOUT TECHNOLOGY? Have you thought about the amount of antennas, radars and electromagnetic waves that surround us?

We go back to our house and turn on the TV, when we pay for a service such as internet, wi-fi, a mobile phone etc, we normally opt for the fastest connection or the option with the best signal. We always want to be connected in the best and fastest way possible. We want to have live streaming or download our files, documents or photos in the shortest possible time. Also there are people who use technology for seminars, online courses and academic training. For marketing or sales and even for recreational activities such as video games that your children use when they return from school. In addition, smart cities are prospering, where you are supposed to have access with more technology such as the Wi-Fi zone etc.

But our demands imply that the companies providing these service have to install a larger number of electricity pylons and telecommunications towers and antennas so that they can meet our demands.

But what is wrong with all this?

1. The use of so much equipment and technology generates what is called electromagnetic pollution. Experts say they are caused by electromagnetic waves of unnatural origin (anthropogenic) and are cause varying damage.

1. Technological advancement encourages us to discard the devices we buy more and more often (computers, laptops, cellphones etc) but with this attitude we produce more and more waste called WEEE (waste from electrical and electronic equipment) considered hazardous waste. nos incentiva a que descartemos cada vez mas seguido los aparatos que compramos (computadoras, laptop, celulares, etc).

1. Scheduled Obsolescence. What is it? Did your refrigerator, microwave or electrical or electronic device break? Were you unable to find a replacement because the part is no longer manufactured? Or is the model you have already obsolete, or has it stopped working? It happens a lot, don’t you think?

The manufacturers program the end of the life of a product (e.g. your refrigerator) then after a certain period,which is calculated in advance by the manufacturer. This product is obsolete, useless, it stops working or they no longer make the part you need to replace and no technician can help you! So you have no choice but to throw away your old refrigerator and buy a new one.

This is important not only for the money and extra time you have to invest but also for the environmental repercussions (pollution and environmental impact of the manufacture of a new product, greater amount of WEEE).

When we talk about pollution, we no longer have to think about water, air or land pollution but also about the pollution produced by the use of electrical and electronic equipment.

DO WE USE PAPER OR TECHNOLOGY?

Paper willl always exist and we will always need and use it to a greater or lesser extent. But we should use only what is necessary.

And with technology? The advances made by the digitalisation of documents and processes are very helpful but we should not make the mistake of thinking that technology does not harm the planet or that it does it to a lesser extent than paper. Both options have consequences on the environment and health.

WHAT CAN WE DO? PODEMOS HACER?

We need to take care of our natural resources. Let’s reuse things as many times as possible, generate less waste and consciously choose the best option for the planet, and not just according to our comfort.