PA P E R
How the paper industry is
THE EPITOME OF the circular economy
T
he circular economy is defined as a closed loop of taking, making and reusing – as opposed to a linear ‘take-make-waste’ approach. The problem with the linear model is clear: when we treat raw materials (such as wood and water) and energy as infinite, we end up with waste. Waste costs money – which in itself is waste, especially when you consider the costs of landfilling, the loss of reusable materials, and the livelihoods that could have been suppor ted. There are also losses at the expense of the environment, such as greenhouse gas emissions when waste degrades. The circular economy, however, is based on three core principles: reducing waste by design, retaining materials in circulation, and restoring the systems from which resources are extracted. And contrary to popular belief and opinion, the paper industry has for many years adopted the circular approach (see www.thepaperstory.co.za).
Circles in the forest We should all know by now that paper comes from the wood of trees – even the fibres in recycled paper came from a tree at some point in their lives. In South Africa’s case, these trees are sustainably farmed in plantations, with stringent management of their impact on water, soil, neighbouring indigenous landscapes and biodiversity. Gone are the days of detrimental, wall-to-wall af forestation. Today, forestr y companies work in tandem with wetlands,
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NOVEMBER 2021
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ReSource
Even before the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations were mandated by government, the local pulp and paper manufacturing and recycling sector has been embarking on process and production innovations to reduce its environmental footprint, divert waste from landfill, and stay ahead of the circular economy curve. By Jane Molony*
riparian zones and high-conser vation-value areas to create a mosaic of planted trees and conser vation spaces. Sustainable forest management balances economic, social and environmental needs. While forestr y practices optimise the land’s ability to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, they also act as buffers for protected indigenous areas. Depending on the species – usually eucalyptus or pine – these trees take around 7 to 10 years to reach maturity. The reason we use exotic species is because they are fastgrowing and we cannot – and will not – use indigenous trees for wood or paper products. Currently, South Africa has 850 million trees growing over 676 000 ha reser ved for pulp and papermaking. Here’s the rub: less than 10% of this total area is har vested during the year. The same area is replanted with new trees – saplings – often at a ratio of two trees for each one har vested. This is the first circle: plant, grow, har vest, replant…
The circle of life The circular economy in forestr y extends to leaving forest residues in situ as a mulch for the next generation of trees. After har vesting, bark, limbs, leaves and small par ts of the har vested trees are left on the forest floor, offering sustenance and refuge for creatures that aid in the decomposition of organic matter, which in turn attracts birds – and so we have another circle. In addition, through photosynthesis, trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and conver t it into food for growth. They also take up water, from the ground or from rainfall. They keep the carbon locked up in their fibres and give us back the oxygen, and some water is also returned to the atmosphere through transpiration.
Circular production processes Even pulp and paper mills operate in a closedloop process, by using natural resources efficiently – often more than once. Process water is reused and recycled, lost fibre is
