University of St. Thomas

Newspaper

We recycle

• daily newspapers, including the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and the Aquin
• "glossy" newspaper inserts, manila envelopes and folders

We do not recycle

• food wrappers or containers, napkins, paper cups, or wax paper
• any paper product contaminated by grease, oil, or food residue

Facts about newspaper

• Every year Americans use about 600 pounds of paper per person
• The paper industry is the single largest user of fuel in the US
• Manufacturing recycled paper uses 64% less energy than manufacturing virgin paper
• Manufacturing recycled paper reduces water pollution by 35%
• Manufacturing recycled paper reduces air pollution by 74%
• The average 100 person company uses about 378,000 sheets of copier paper per year - an amount that would stack 7 stories high
• Newspapers are the largest single category of material collected in residential recycling programs.  Almost 69% of all old newspapers in the United States were recovered and recycled in 1999, representing more than 9 million tons of old newspapers out of a total supply of nearly 13 million tons according to the Newspaper Association of America.  However, after recycling, Americans still trashed over 4 million tons of old news print in the year.
• Recycling a single printing of the Sunday edition of the New York Times could leave 75,000 trees standing.
• Old newspaper is turned into new newsprint, paperboard, packaging, construction paper, cellulose insulation for construction materials, and bedding for farm animals.