Three Facts about Earth Day
Preserving Trees: Did you know that there are 400 trees for every person on Earth, totaling a staggering 3 trillion trees for our planet’s 8 billion inhabitants? However, with one tree producing 8,000 sheets of paper and the average office worker using 10,000 sheets per year, the math quickly reveals the alarming rate at which trees are diminishing. To combat this trend, individuals and businesses can contribute by planting trees or adopting eco-friendly practices like responsible paper usage and recycling.- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The establishment of the EPA in 1970, following the inaugural Earth Day, marked a pivotal moment in environmental activism. The EPA has since played a crucial role in enacting significant environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Trees, which are directly impacted by paper consumption and shredding practices, play a pivotal role in supporting these environmental regulations.
- Global Impact: Earth Day has evolved into a global movement, with approximately one billion people participating annually. This widespread impact underscores the immense impact that collective action can have in addressing environmental challenges. By joining the Earth Day movement and implementing sustainable practices like responsible paper shredding, individuals and organizations contribute to a healthier planet for current and future generations.
Now, let’s delve into three essential facts about paper shredding and its environmental significance:
Three Facts about Paper Shredding
- Identity Theft Prevention: Improper disposal of documents without shredding leaves you vulnerable to identity theft. In some states, discarded materials are considered public property once placed for garbage or recycling collection. Opting for a professional shredding service ensures secure shredding and recycling of your documents, protecting both you and the environment.
- Environmental Benefits of Shredding: Professional shredding companies recycle shredded paper, offering numerous benefits to the environment, including:
- Keeping paper out of landfills
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Conserving energy and water, with a 70% reduction compared to producing new paper from trees
- Saving valuable resources equivalent to 17 trees, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, 380 gallons of oil, 4,000 kilowatts of energy, and 7,000 gallons of water per ton of paper recycled
- Sustainable Waste Management: Integrating responsible paper consumption practices with shredding and recycling forms a powerful strategy for sustainability. By reducing paper usage and responsibly managing waste, individuals and businesses contribute to:
- Essential ecosystem services provides by trees
- Climate change mitigation
- Air and water purification
- Wildlife habitat enhancement
- Improved air quality, water cycle regulation, and soil conservation
- Access to reusable and recyclable forest products
As Earth Day approaches, consider making a lasting commitment to environmental stewardship through compliant paper shredding practices.
Richards & Richards is actively involved in paper recycling, recycling almost 11 million pounds of paper in the past year alone. Choose from a range of shredding services, including on-site, off-site, or our walk-in and drop-off option, to make secure paper shredding a part of your Earth Day commitment. Contact us at 615-242-9600 or complete the form on this page. Together, we can make a tangible difference in protecting our planet for generations to come.
