Eiko Ojala (www.thisiscolossal.com)


Paper was first introduced by Ts'ai Lun in the 2nd century 105 AD (there is also a mention of the year 101 AD). Since then, the use of paper had become increasingly widespread and inseparable from human life. At the beginning of its emergence, almost all forms of human intelligence were recorded on paper, written in pieces, which later became priceless sources of information and cultural heritage. Along with the times, the paper is increasingly popular as a read-write media.

Advances in printing technology have also helped in increasing human need for paper. Books are printed to quench human thirst for knowledge, various newspaper or magazine media are printed to provide information about the latest news. Not only that, photographs that capture precious moments can also be printed on paper. Exchange of news between friends, family, and loved one is also done with paper media in the form of correspondence.

I still remember the feeling of enthusiasm when writing my first diary in elementary school. Until now, I always take the time every night for 15-30 minutes to write a diary. My story is about what happened that day and what I will do tomorrow complete with various decorations and pictures that I added to the notes. Sheet after sheet of paper contains valuable memory that is timeless. If these stories are reread now, it is certain to invite old memories to return to my brain, accompanied by an invasion of endorphins hormones that spur me to feel happiness and warmth when remembering the past.

Paper becomes the best choice that is unrivaled to express all ideas, inspiration, and information that humans had before the digital era came. After the digital era successfully anesthetized humans with all its conveniences, the term Paperless Community that was echoed by F. W. Lancester in 1978 became increasingly popular. Paperless Community is a condition of society where communication that is normally done with paper such as written documents, letters and so on is replaced by communication and digital storage.

Utilizing the digital age is claimed to be the right and better step, compared to the paper which is blamed as a scapegoat contributing to environmental damage. But is that right? Do not easily believe in narration without proof, both of them have advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, for interested readers, I recommend reading this article. So, does this threaten the existence of paper in human life? Of course yes, but it does not erode the existence of paper. In fact, in an increasingly modern society, demand for paper is predicted to continue to increase. The function of paper is no longer only as a medium for reading and writing and exchanging information, but has penetrated in various aspects of human life. Ranging from functions as a food wrapper, cleaning tools, evidence of trade transactions, until as proof of ownership of human wealth and so forth. This proves that paper has become an important part of human life and is not easy to substitute.

Increasing demand for paper, demands an increase in paper production. This directly affects the increasing demand for paper raw materials, namely wood, which naturally comes from trees. The environmental challenges faced by the paper industry come from various sides and are not easy to deal with. Starting from the potential for deforestation if replanting is not done. Even if replanting is done, new trees cannot grow quickly and replace the role of trees that have been cut down. As a result, habitat damage will occur which causes some types of animals can not survive. This will disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and the food chain.

Decreasing trees will certainly disrupt the level of recycling CO2 to O2. In addition, tropical rain forests are known to have more than 210 gigatons of carbon stored in their trees. When the tree is cut down, we not only reduce the supply of oxygen but also release all the carbon contained in the tree into the atmosphere. So that CO2 levels in the atmosphere increase and can increase the greenhouse effect. Then you can imagine other problems arising from this greenhouse effect.

Then, can we do something? Given the enormous role of paper in human life and the importance of preserving nature, it is fitting for us to act. One of the actions we can take is recycling. We must make consistent efforts towards recycling because now we have reached the point where the community needs to contribute to making a greener environment by changing the way we treat personal waste. Always remember 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and also motivate others to do it. Use recycled paper to create potential market demand and encourage the paper industry to make environmentally friendly paper making processes.

Some countries even have special bins for paper. However, is it true that recycling paper has a positive impact on the environment? The answer is yes! By recycling 1 ton of paper, about 17 trees can be saved. Less pollution is generated in the manufacturing process because paper fibers have been processed before. Using recycled paper as raw material  will also help preserve forests by reducing the use of wood. In addition, the energy needed is also lower so that energy savings can be achieved. Where recycling 1 ton of paper saves 682.5 gallons of fuel and 7000 gallons of water and 4000 kWh of electricity.

Another solution that is no less important in dealing with environmental challenges is to work with the citizen around the paper industry. As has been done by Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas. The company provides reciprocity to the community in the form of education and funding regarding sustainable agriculture techniques. It is hoped that people will no longer use traditional cutting and burning techniques to open agricultural land. Also equipped with a forest fire prevention program that is not only carried out by company employees but also involves the local community. Since the program was implemented in 2015, it has been proven to reduce the level of circumcision fires significantly.

In addition, APP Sinar Mas also utilizes waste from the papermaking process, namely Black liquor as energy for the next papermaking process. Black liquor produces organic fuels that can be used to meet about 66% of the total energy needs in producing paper. This is of course very beneficial, not only for companies but also for the environment.

Another important and innovative innovation from APP Sinar Mas is a sustainable and recyclable food packaging product called Foopak. This packaging product does not use plastic, but is made from special paper which is bio-degradable and only takes 12 weeks to be decomposed. Foopak is expected to replace plastic packaging for food which is certainly safer for the environment.

In essence, don't just want to be spoiled by paper and enjoy its various functions. But we must also be prepared and readily face the various environmental challenges that accompany it. Because paper, the environment, and humans will always be related to one another.

Click here for the Indonesian version of this article.