Is Burning Paper Bad for the Environment & What Harm Does it Do? - TheRoundup (2024)

Do you know how to dispose of paper properly?

There’s been a lot of debate lately over the environmental impacts of burning paper.

Some say it’s terrible for the environment, while others claim it’s an effective way to recycle paper products.

So, what’s the truth? Is burning paper bad for the environment?

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of this paper disposal dilemma.

Why is Burning Paper Bad for the Environment?

What Is Paper Made From?

Before we dive into the environmental effects of burning paper, it’s important to understand what this material is made from.

Paper is typically made in paper mills from wood pulp and other materials.

So, where does wood pulp come from? In most cases, trees are cut down to harvest wood pulp.

So, in theory, the emissions when you burn paper should be the same as when you burn wood. It releases carbon dioxide and leaves ash behind. Right?

Well…not quite!

Printing And Bleaching Is The Problem

When paper is printed on, the printer will use a combination of ink and chemicals to create text or graphics. And that’s where things get nasty for the environment.

Some printers use toxic substances in their inks…which are released into the air when those documents are burned.

And then there’s bleaching.

Chemicals are often added to make paper white during paper production.

This can have a significant impact on the environment because these chemicals can release toxic gases into the air when they’re burned.

Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

If you thought that the environmental impact of paper ended when you burned it, think again.

When paper is burned, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) such as benzene, formaldehyde, naphthalene, triphenylene, and pyrene are released into the air.

Dioxin And Mercury

One of the most common acids produced by burning paper is dioxin, which has been called “the most toxic man-made substance!”

Dioxins can cause a variety of health problems and damage the environment.

But that’s not all.

Burning paper can also release mercury. This heavy metal can be hazardous to the environment and human health.

It can be toxic enough to damage entire ecosystems! And even at low levels, it can affect brain development, heart function, and the immune system.

Carbon Monoxide

As with any organic matter, when you burn paper, it releases carbon monoxide into the air.

This gas can harm human health, especially in confined spaces with poor ventilation.

Carbon Dioxide

Just like when burning wood, burning paper releases carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming).

Air Pollution

When you burn anything, the process releases particles into the air. Unfortunately, paper burning is no exception.

When we breathe in these particles, they can settle in our lungs and other parts of our body.

Acid Rain

One of the most significant environmental impacts of paper burning is acid rain.

When the chemicals and pollutants mentioned above mix and react with water in clouds, they often fall back to earth as acid rain.

Acid rain has several adverse effects on human health and ecosystems.

It can cause respiratory problems, irritation, and even skin burns when in contact with our skin.

When acid rain falls on lakes and rivers, it causes them to become acidic. The acid then begins to attack living organisms in the water and burn holes in rocks and shells.

Fish may die if there isn’t enough oxygen in the water (caused by increased acid levels). Also, birds that drink from these contaminated bodies of water can be poisoned by the acid in their stomachs.

Acid mine drainage is a problem that occurs when mining exposes rocks to air and moisture, making minerals like iron sulfide dissolve into water. The sulfuric acid in acid rain is so strong it dissolves the iron sulfide and carries toxic chemicals through watersheds, killing fish and other aquatic life.

Paper Burning: The Alternatives

The three R’s of waste management most definitely apply to paper.

Reduce

The best way to combat the environmental impacts of paper burning is to reduce our use of paper as much as possible.

This means using less paper in every aspect of your life, including at home, the office, and at school.

This can be done by:

• Printing on both sides of the page
• Using both sides when typing up documents
• Reducing the number of documents you file away
• Using online file storage rather than printing hard copies

Reuse

If you have paper that isn’t suitable for recycling, there are several ways you can reuse it, including:

• Making stationery (such as notebooks, notepads, and envelopes)
• Creating homemade wrapping paper
• Adding pieces to art projects/collages
• Creating origami or other paper crafts
• If you have a lot of quality paper you’re not using, consider donating it to schools or local organizations

Recycle

Recycling paper products is one of the most effective ways to neutralize its environmental impact.

According to the EPA, recycling one ton of paper would:

• Save 17 trees from being cut down
• Save enough energy to power the average American home for six months
• Save 7,000 gallons of water
• Save 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one metric ton of carbon equivalent (MTCE)

We can make recycled paper into new paper. It can even make other products likepackaging, recycled toilet paper, or gift wrap.

Recycling paper means that fewer trees are cut down, and they’re left alone to do what they do best…being the lungs of the planet!

However, recycling paper is not a perfect process. Each time it’s recycled, the fibers shorten, and the quality reduces.

Eventually, recycled paper is only fit to produce a pulpy paste used for things like newspaper and egg cartons.

Also, the recycling process still uses resources (such as electricity and water). However, the resources needed to make recycled paper are much lower than those used in producing virgin paper.

Burning Paper for Energy

You can burn paper to produce heat and electricity.

This can be done on a small scale for home use or in a controlled setting, like a power station or turbine, to produce large quantities of power.

While it’s true that paper gives off the same toxins wherever it’s burned, some large-scale facilities have sophisticated filtration systems that prevent the vast amount of pollutants from escaping.

Burning excess waste paper for energy is not ideal, but it’s still better than relying on fossil fuels (when done responsibly).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burning Cardboard a Bad Thing to Do?

Yes. In fact, it’s worse than paper burning because cardboard boxes are often coated in a thin layer of plastic to keep them dry and intact.

Can You Burn Paper in Your Garden?

If you must burn paper at home, you should only do so in a controlled setting. Burning paper outdoors poses serious risks of pollution and the fire getting out of control.

Also, check with your local authority that home fires are allowed in your state.

Should I be Burning Burning Assessment Papers and Confidential Documents?

If you’re worried about privacy, a high-security document shredder is more eco-friendly than burning confidential documents.

Unbleached, chemical-free, shredded paper can be added to your home compost pile. Add some plastic-free tea bags, coffee grounds, or coffee filters to help speed up the composting process.

The Final Word

Paper production is big business. Globally we produce more than 400 million metric tons of paper and cardboard annually.

So it’s no surprise that we’re constantly looking for ways to deal with paper waste.

Paper burns at approximately 420 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the cellulose in the paper breaks down into gasses and fine particles that pollute the air.

Large commercial incinerator systems have processes in place that reduce the levels of pollutants and carbon dioxide emissions, but burning paper at home can lead to high levels of chemicals being released.

So, yes, burning paper is bad for the environment, and you should look to reduce, reuse, and recycle instead.

However, there are some situations when burning paper might be considered okay.

For example, when excess paper waste that's no longer fit for recycling is burned in a controlled filtered manner to produce electricity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Get In Touch

How do you deal with your paper waste? Burn? Shred? Or is recycling paper your thing? Drop me a line and let me know.