However for recycling to be successful there must be markets for the paper collected. Humboldt State uses large quantities of paper every year. Many of these trees are harvested in an environmentally responsible manner, but many are not. In addition to the impacts of logging there are many impacts from processing wood to make paper.
Most wood pulp is bleached using chlorine, which produces dioxins as a by-product.
Dioxins are potent carcinogens and endocrine disrupters that can cause birth defects. So far, this paper is being used in the self-service copiers in the library, the housing department, Schatz Energy Research Center and soon in the engineering department. We are also working with Academic Computing in educating students in how to reduce wasted copies. Informational signs in the computer labs will include instructions for checking on and canceling print jobs. High post-consumer waste paper costs significantly more than virgin paper because of the smaller amount that is manufactured.