Escaping the cycle of excessive waste paper

Escaping the cycle of excessive waste paper

The world is going through an incredibly difficult time. Wherever we look, we are affected by wars, crises and environmental disasters.

These issues require our utmost attention, but we must also look at other aspects of our lives and consider the impact our individual actions have on global well-being and the health of our planet.

The other day I had people over for dinner and received several gifts in beautifully wrapped boxes with bows. My mind went back to my childhood and wondered how we have become so accustomed to such rituals but fail to consider their far-reaching implications.

Many of you will know that I don't actually know when I was born. Back then, paper and writing were a luxury – there was no need to hand out a piece of paper to record something as inconsequential as a birth date.

Although we spend our everyday lives in front of numerous screens, we are now inundated with paper – in our mailboxes, in the office, in countless catalogs, cards and wrapping paper.

Despite the simultaneous revolution in computer technology, global paper consumption has increased by 400 percent in the last 40 years.

The pulp and paper industry is the third largest contributor of industrial air, water and soil emissions in Canada and the sixth largest in the United States. It is one of the five most energy-intensive industries in the world and uses at least 17 percent of all landfills worldwide.

My thoughts were sparked by the many Hallmark occasions beyond birthdays, Christmas or Eid. Commercial interests have led us to buy cards and extravagantly wrapped gifts for all sorts of occasions, from Mother's Day to Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year to wedding anniversaries.

If we were all a little more considerate in our daily lives, we could reduce a lot of waste and lessen the environmental impact of our actions.

Hassan bin Youssef Yassin

And in response we send thank you cards.

While cards and wrapping paper often claim a percentage of recycled content, they are usually coated in chemical ink, glitter, shiny finishes and tape – essentially microplastics that prevent the entire paper content from being recycled.

Instead of obeying commercial interests and acting out of habit or convention, we should rethink our everyday actions.

We all know that we should use less water at home, turn off lights and appliances, and reduce food waste through healthy habits.

Likewise, as individuals, we should think more about our habits and mark occasions with a more meaningful hug and kiss or a sincere word rather than an elaborately wrapped gift and card.

If we all act a little more considerately in our daily lives, we can both reduce a lot of waste and reduce the environmental impact of our actions.

Above all, we can set a positive example for the next generation to adopt healthier habits than we did.

• Hassan bin Youssef Yassin has worked closely with Saudi oil ministers, headed the Saudi information office in Washington, and served on the Arab League observer delegation to the United Nations.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this section are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Arab News.