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How does recycling wastepaper reduce the need for new pulpwood?

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paper mill — papermaking Paper mill in British Columbia, Canada.

Recycling wastepaper reduces the need for virgin fibre—the primary material derived from pulpwood—by allowing recovered paper to be processed and reused in the production of new paper and paperboard products.12

By incorporating greater quantities of wastepaper stock into the manufacturing process, mills can decrease their reliance on harvested forest resources. This practice is essential for sustainable resource management, as the global demand for paper continues to rise, placing significant pressure on forest ecosystems and contributing to deforestation.134

The recovery process involves cleaning and pulping wastepaper, which can then be used to create various grades of paper, ranging from high-quality printing stock to coarse materials like tissues and boxboard. Beyond conserving timber, recycling also helps minimize the volume of solid waste deposited in landfills, representing a critical step toward more responsible industrial consumption and environmental stewardship.124