So, I wish to stop or at least reduce the activities responsible for pollution

S. Adley Lamuel

STD III

RJ Mantra English School

Virudhunagar

Tamilnadu

Save Paper!

Seems great idea! Isn’t it?

But, how?

Don’t Use Tissue!

Yes! Good idea. I decide that after a heavy meal, I would stop using tissue paper to wipe off my hands.

But…

Am I Using Soap?

If I am going to use soap for cleaning my hands, please think twice. The soap, after cleaning my hands, goes to drain.

This is going to contaminate the soil and the groundwater. Remember, often the weight of soap used for washing hands is nearly equal to the weight of tissue.

I am sure there is no Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) going to treat this water.

Ok. Use a Handkerchief.

Well, seems a better option. Handkerchief can be reused again and again after washing.

Environment wise, it is really different from washing hands with soap.

It’s Better.

I stopped using tissue after a delicious meal.

O.K. Let us try something else.

Stop reading newspaper. At least the printed version. A lot of paper can be saved.

Wow!

Newspaper

What are the alternatives? E-paper, T.V., Radio. But, if we are watching TV or listening to radio, we

cannot save important things easily. Internet is over-flooded with information and to

search something useful to me is a little difficult.

Newspaper is economical too.

I consider the cost of newspaper as the price of newspaper less the price of waste paper generated after reading newspaper.

If I consider cost of internet connection (on the proportional usage basis), cost of electricity required to switch on computer, cost of occasional printouts etc., newspaper is still cheaper.

Reduce Printing of e-mails

Well, this part is too common to be told to anyone. Unfortunately, I rarely take a printout. I have tried to spread this message, but was unable

to find a person who takes out printouts without necessity.

Do you know somebody who takes out printouts unless really necessary?

So, I am using a piece of paper!

and still feeling guilty that trees are being cut to make paper.

I feel myself responsible for environmental damage.

Read on….

How much paper do you use?

In India, average specific paper consumption is to the tune of 8-10kg per person per year.

What is the consumption by other persons in the world?

How much paper do others use?

Against India, the world average is around 30-35kg paper per person per year.

In many developed countries, this figure is in the tune of 400-500kg.

Paper waste

Why?

Indians are very conservative by nature. You would find even rich people here using back side of envelopes for writing small points for themselves.

In India, we strongly believe that “Nothing Should be Wasted”

Paper from wood

Paper from Tree only?

Let us come back to the point. In India, do you know most of the paper is

made either from waste paper, or from agricultural residues e.g. bagasse, rice straw etc.?

SAVE PAPER, SAVE EARTH?

On a rough estimate, we use at least 8-10 times wood for furniture than paper.

Are we really ready for wood-free furniture (e.g. steel furniture) or less-wood furniture?

How many of us are really willing to even think of steel doors and windows rather than wooden one for our homes and offices?

Deforestation

NEED Vs. GREED

Have you ever cared for environment while ordering new furniture?

The earth has sufficient for everybody’s need.

But, not for everybody’s GREED. Think! Are you becoming part of masses

who pretend to care for earth.

What could I do

I would think when I have to go for furniture in future, if I could do

without it. I would try to live a life in tune with

nature and direct my friends around me too.

THANK YOU

S.Adley Lamuel