Dive Brief:
- A new Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) released by Oakland, CA-based New Leaf Paper states that recycled papers have less than 1% of the impact of virgin paper in terms of global climate change and ocean acidification.
- The study compared 2,500 tons of New Leaf Reincarnation paper — 100% post-consumer waste recycled coated paper — to virgin coated paper and found the recycled paper uses 75% less water, has no effect on rivers or wetlands from recurring logging, and avoids harvesting of at least 12,000 acres of multiple forest types.
- The SCS Global Services study is the first in the paper industry to use a new LCA standard, which is in the final stages of accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The standard is "designed to improve the accuracy, transparency, and comparability of LCA analyses," according to Environmental Leader.
Dive Insight:
Paper recycling is a U.S. success story. In 2014, 96% of consumers had access to paper and paperboard recycling, up from 87% in 2010.
This study is proof that recycling has a major positive impact on the environment.
Megadeals have been the trend in the paper recycling and paper products industry. In August, Norcross, GA-based WestRock Co. agreed to buy paper recycler SP Fiber Holdings Inc. and its 48% interest in Green Power Solutions of Georgia (GPS) for a deal worth $288.5 million. WestRock began operations in July as a merger between paper recyclers and product makers MeadWestvaco Corp. and Rock-Tenn Co.
Additionally, in February, Atlanta-based Caraustar Industries Inc. completed its purchase of paper recycler The Newark Group, based in Cranford, NJ. In 2013, GP Harmon Recycling of Jericho, NY purchased The Highlands Group Inc.'s plastics recycling facility in Elizabethton, TN.
