By Yeshim Tarpan
Sustainability Coordinator
Papyrus & Scaldia
A seed in the soil
This real-world story begins in a managed forest – not a wild forest. Contrary to popular belief, the paper industry doesn’t pillage untouched natural forests. Instead, it relies heavily on sustainably managed plantations where trees are planted, grown, harvested, and replanted in cycles.
In Europe, for example, forest area has been growing for decades. According to industry research, European forests have expanded by an area equivalent to 1,500 football pitches every day. Sustainable forestry ensures biodiversity, soil health, and long-term ecological balance.
A seed becomes a sapling. A sapling becomes a tree. And when that tree reaches maturity, it begins its next chapter.
Get facts from Two Sides
Two Sides is a non-profit global initiative that promotes the unique sustainable and attractive properties of printed media, paper and paper packaging.
You will find documented information on their website about various aspects of the graphic industry.
Harvesting with purpose
- Thinnings (small trees removed to help the forest grow)
- Sawmill residues
- Recycled fibers
This means paper production is deeply intertwined with responsible resource use. Nothing is wasted; everything has a purpose.
Transformation at the mill
At the paper mill, wood fibers are pulped, cleaned, and formed into sheets. Modern mills are technological powerhouses, far from the smoke-belching factories people imagine. Many run on renewable bioenergy, and the sector is one of the largest users of renewable energy in Europe. Mills use water in a closed-loop system, returning around 90% of it to the environment after treatment. The result? A clean, strong, versatile sheet of paper ready to take on a new life.
A sheet with endless possibilities
- A book that inspires a child
- Packaging that protects a product
- A menu at a local café
- A letter that feels more personal than any email
Rebirth through recycling
Paper is one of the most recycled materials in the world. In Europe, the recycling rate is consistently around 70–75%, making it a true circular-economy champion. Fibers can in general be recycled 5–7 times before they become too short to bond. Even then, they’re replaced with fresh, sustainably sourced fibers, keeping the cycle going. When sheets are placed in a recycling bin, it can be reborn as:
- Office paper and newspaper
- Cardboard and packaging
- Tissue
Myths & Facts
Debunking the biggest misconceptions about paper
Despite its sustainability credentials, paper is often misunderstood. Organisations like Two Sides have committed themselves to show paper in its true form, and to address any misconceptions about it. Let’s clear the air.
Click on the images below and you will be directed to documeted information by Two Sides.
