Why is paper still associated with deforestation?
The image of a tree being cut down to make a few sheets of paper remains deeply ingrained in the collective imagination. This perception was reinforced in the 1990s with the emergence of ?paperless office? campaigns, which presented going paperless as a natural response to environmental challenges.
At the same time, the media was broadcasting images of deforestation in the Amazon, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia. It was an easy leap to conclude that using less paper would mean more preserved forests.
However, major FAO studies show that the causes of global deforestation are primarily linked to land conversion for agriculture, livestock farming, or certain cash crops. European paper production relies mainly on managed forests, which are a far cry from these exploitation models.
This distinction is rarely explained to the general public, even though it underpins the entire environmental analysis of the industry.
Where do the fibers used to make paper actually come from?
Contrary to popular belief, paper mills do not use only felled trees to make paper.
A significant portion of the fibers comes from byproducts of the wood industry. Wood chips, shavings, and offcuts generated by sawmills are a raw material sought after by pulp manufacturers. The CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries) reports that in Europe, approximately 36% of the raw materials used by the paper industry come directly from sawmills , in the form of wood chips, shavings, and sawdust.
Wood from forest thinning operations also supplies this industry. These operations involve removing certain trees to promote the growth of the remaining stands and improve their resistance to disease or extreme weather events.
Modern forest management relies on economic balance. Revenue from the sale of timber to various industries helps fund plantings, silvicultural work, and stand regeneration. Without economic opportunities, maintaining a forest entails costs that may prompt some landowners to change the use of their land.
The FSC and PEFC certifications provide an additional guarantee. They set requirements regarding biodiversity, soil conservation, the traceability of wood, and social conditions. They do not guarantee that no trees will be cut down, but rather that harvesting is carried out as part of sustainable forest management.
Recycling is another pillar of the paper industry. In Europe, paper is one of the most recycled materials, with a a recycling rate exceeding 79% , according to the European Confederation of the Paper Industry (CEPI).
Why doesn't recycled paper completely replace virgin fibers?
Recycled paper is often presented as the ideal solution. The reality in the industry is more nuanced.
The recovered fibers are sorted, defibered, cleaned, and?depending on the application?deinked before being reintroduced into the production of new paper. This process reduces the use of virgin fibers, but does not eliminate it. With each cycle, the cellulose fibers lose length and strength. After five to seven recycling cycles , they no longer possess the mechanical properties needed to produce new paper. The industry must therefore continuously incorporate virgin fibers from sustainably managed forests in order to maintain product quality and ensure the long-term viability of the recycling loop.
Recycling therefore requires a constant supply of virgin fibers, which account for approximately 59% of the raw materials used by the European paper industry, with the remaining 41% coming from virgin fibers necessary for the renewal of the cycle (CEPI Key Statistics 2024). These fibers ensure the strength of the paper while supporting the functioning of the circular economy. It therefore makes no sense to systematically pit recycled paper against virgin paper. The two materials are complementary.
How can we truly measure the environmental impact of a printed document?
Assessing the environmental impact of a printed document involves looking far beyond paper consumption alone.
Life-cycle assessments take into account all stages: forestry, pulp production, paper manufacturing, printing, transportation, use, recycling, and end-of-life recovery.
Claiming that one material is more environmentally friendly than another without conducting a life cycle assessment is like comparing two vehicles based solely on their fuel consumption, without taking into account their manufacturing, maintenance, useful life, or end-of-life disposal. This approach often leads to erroneous conclusions.
Comparing a printed catalog to a digital campaign therefore requires a precise definition of the uses under consideration and the scope of the analysis. Life-cycle assessment experts point out that there is no one-size-fits-all answer applicable to all situations.
Rapidly Changing Regulations
Environmental requirements in the paper industry continue to become more stringent.
The European Union is gradually implementing the EUDR regulation, which is designed to combat products linked to deforestation. Operators will be required to demonstrate that raw materials sold on the European market do not come from areas deforested after the reference date set by the regulation.
At the same time, manufacturers are investing in reducing water consumption, improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy, and developing alternative fibers where appropriate.
Printing companies also rely on environmental initiatives such as Imprim'Vert or ISO 14001 certification to structure their commitments.
What should buyers of printed materials keep in mind?
The first question should no longer be whether paper destroys forests, but under what conditions it was produced.
Certified paper, made from sustainably managed fibers and incorporated into a recycling system, has a very different environmental profile from a product whose origin remains unknown.
Choices regarding paper weight, format, printing process, logistics, and end-of-life also influence the overall environmental impact of a printed product.
For clients, the most effective approach is to consider the entire lifecycle of the medium rather than systematically pitting paper against digital.
