Despite the much believed promise of paperless offices in the digital age, the use of paper has continued to increase in recent years, and therewith the consumption of natural resources. It is not widely known that recycled paper can make tangible and ecological savings, as the production of recycled paper requires about 60 percent less energy and water than for the production of new paper. Just by using 1,000 sheets of recycled paper the amount of energy saved equals that of operating 70 flat screen computers for one working day.
”In our vision of transforming Germany into the most resource-efficient national economy, using recycled paper on account of its many advantages is exemplary”, says Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel. Olaf Tschimpke, President of NABU, adds, ”We are going to need comprehensive ecological approaches to solving problems that serve to protect the climate and our resources and to maintain biological diversity. The intelligent product design of recycled paper, which is already present at the start of the value added chain, meets this requirement exceptionally".
The Blue Angel for recycled paper guarantees compliance with the highest ecological standards. ”Paper bearing the Blue Angel is clearly first choice as it wholly safeguards protection of the environment and the consumer. The eco-label’s meaningfulness clearly distinguishes itself from others such as the FSC or PEFC, which only provide information about the type of forest management”, said Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge, President of the Federal Environment Agency.
