302. You wouldn’t believe what this paper mill runs on!

Everyone knows paper gets recycled. But we also ‘recycle’ some other things to keep our mills running.

A lot of the energy we use comes from renewable sources like hydroelectricity, wind power – and ‘biomass’, a fuel made from operational and forest waste. A great way to get rid of some unwanted stuff.

So we’re not using as much fossil fuel any more. In fact, we’re even using up some of the waste stuff that could otherwise harm the environment. It’s one of the few instances where we can proudly say we’re getting the most out of our own waste.

 

• Paper mills use other sources of renewable energy too - like wind, hydro-electric and solar power.

 

• In Australia, 31% of the energy used by the paper industry comes from renewable sources including biomass and hydro-electric power.

 

Sources:	Australasian Paper Industry Association, “Paper…a fundamental part of daily living”, 2008
	Confederation of European Paper Industries, Paper Online "Energy Usage", 2008
	Confederation of European Paper Industries, "Environment Report 2002 - Working towards more sustainability"