Paper Recycling

[bigfizz]

I heard an opinion that recycling paper actually is more harmful to the environment than using fresh paper from tree pulp.
The theory was that the paper made today is from sustained forests in the UK, as in when a tree is cut down to make paper another one is planted. Growing trees consume more than three times more Co2 than existing trees.
If you recycle paper, there is massive amounts of fuel used to collect it all together and some nasty chlorine chemicals used to bleach it, the end result is paper of an inferior quality that is more harmful. Have I got the wrong end of the stick on this one or have they actually got a point?

[Loosehead]

That's probably a fair point about the environmental aspects of it. I think there are other considerations, mainly financial as far as local authorities are concerned as they are taxed by central governement for the amount of landfill they use so it's economically better to recycle rather than dump it. I often wonder about the whether collecting all the paper/glass/cans/plastic bottle etc is worth it other than to reduce land fill.

[nichos]

So it looks like using fresh paper pulp is better for the environment, it just saves the council money to recycle. This sounds the wrong way arround but I can believe it.
All my paper is going in the bin from now on, it may cost more in future council tax rises but we have to pay to be green!!