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Counter Culture

Paper Chase

By Josh Sevin
02 Feb 2000
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  • a 50 percent increase in worldwide paper consumption is expected by 2010


  • 115 billion sheets of paper are used annually for personal computers


  • 700 pounds of paper are consumed by the average American each year


  • 10,000 trees are cut down annually in China to make holiday cards


  • 3 cubic yards of landfill space can be saved by one ton of recycled paper


  • 77 percent of paper is recycled in the Netherlands


  • 67 percent of paper is recycled in Germany


  • 52 percent of paper is recycled in Japan


  • 45 percent of paper is recycled in the U.S.




  • Sources:
    1 -- World Resources Institute
    2 -- Worldwatch Institute
    3 -- Environmental Defense Fund
    4 -- Xinhua News Agency
    5 -- 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth
    6 -- Washington Post
    7-9 -- Worldwatch Institute.

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    Josh Sevin is a graduate student in MIT's planning program. Previously, he was an editor at Greenwire environmental news service and a researcher for U.S. News.
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