The Secret Life of Paper highlights important information, such as the global warming impact of paper, the disproportionately high per capita paper usage in the US versus other nations, the forest and associated biodiversity loss linked to paper production and the development of promising alternative non-wood paper fibers.

In addition, the video illustrates the significant environmental benefits of recycling, of buying recycled paper products and of using less paper in the first place.

The Secret Life of Paper gives an empowering message of how simple and important it is to become a sustainable paper consumer. The film aims to rouse viewers from their apathy about paper by presenting the following information:

• Today, only one-fifth of the world’s ancient forests remain, and the forests that are still standing are vanishing at an alarming rate – every other second, an area the size of a soccer field is destroyed.
• A significant part of this deforestation can be attributed to the pulp and paper industry, which is also the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases among manufacturing industries in the US. Deforestation aggravates climate change as trees keep the climate stable by storing carbon and converting carbon dioxide into oxygen.
• More than 50% of the paper Americans consume ends up in landfills or incinerators. When paper is land-filled it releases methane, a greenhouse gas 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

The film’s strong take-away message is how easy it is to become a sustainable consumer. Practical tips include recycling paper at your office and at home, purchasing paper products with recycled content, using less paper, paying bills online and printing double sided.

The message of the video is clear: small changes, if widely adopted, add up to a huge benefit for the planet, as the following example, cited in the film, shows that if every US household replaced just one role of virgin toilet paper with a roll made from recycled content, we would save 330,000 trees, and 106,000,000 gallons of wastewater. We would also reduce greenhouse gases by 5,000,000 tons.

Running time: 00:5:38 mins