Paper Does Grow on Trees | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Opinion
  3. Environment
  4. Paper Does Grow on Trees

Paper Does Grow on Trees

November 22, 2010
By skisoul96 GOLD, Flushing, New York
More by this author
skisoul96 GOLD, Flushing, New York
13 articles 0 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
Don&#039;t worry about the world coming to an end today<br /> its already tomorrow in Australia.

View profile

The magazine you read on the subway and just threw out. The dollar bill you handed the cashier. The grocery list you wrote today. The cereal box you put away a second ago. The homework you just did. The essay you just printed out. The plate you had your pizza on. The junk mail you received today. The book you read before you went to bed. It all is on the villainous substance: PAPER!

Paper is made from wood cellulose which comes from trees. Trees give off most of the oxygen in the air which humans and animals need to breathe. Already half the world’s forests have been cleared for paper. United States and Canada create the most paper in the world. In 2003 only 48.3% of that paper was recycled. The paper industry is the fourth to largest contributor to green house gases which cause global warming. Recycling one ton of paper saves seventeen trees. It also saves 463 gallons of oil, 587 pounds of air pollution and 3.06 cubic yards of landfill space. Best of all 87% of America’s population has curbside drop off paper recycling. So now why aren’t you recycling your paper?

© Richard F., League City, TX

The author's comments:
I feel very strongly about going green. It doesn't have to be drastic. take it one step at a time. It won't hurt you!
Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Opinion
High time we protected our species
By Anonymous
Opinion
PETA doesn't treat animals ethically?
By Steffnee BRONZE
Kittanning, Pennsylvania
Steffnee BRONZE, Kittanning, Pennsylvania
3 articles 2 photos 2 comments
View profile
Opinion
Global Warming
By Ashley Paholski SILVER
Ivoryton CT, Connecticut
Ashley Paholski SILVER, Ivoryton CT, Connecticut
8 articles 0 photos 1 comment
View profile
Opinion
WINTER
By BeccaLynn GOLD
Milwaukie, Oregon
BeccaLynn GOLD, Milwaukie, Oregon
17 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
Time is a river... and books are boats. Some boats are lost at sea. while others float forever filling peoples head with their knowledge

View profile
Opinion
We are the next Generation
By WriterFanatic PLATINUM
DesMoines, Iowa
WriterFanatic PLATINUM, DesMoines, Iowa
24 articles 0 photos 184 comments

Favorite Quote:
A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.<br /> By Gandhi.

View profile
Opinion
The Puppetmaster
By emototxxx SILVER
Leawood, Kansas
emototxxx SILVER, Leawood, Kansas
6 articles 0 photos 1 comment
View profile

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 12 comments.

Rory7 SILVER said...
on Mar. 22 2011 at 5:40 pm
Rory7 SILVER, Kanata, Other
6 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;Live Freaky! Die Freaky!&rdquo;-billie joe armstrong

View profile
if you'd want my advice, i'd be glad to give it! and i know what you mean with the whole "you can only use 300 words" thing, i had to do that too, with a story, but i kept going over, and i really wished i didn't have that restriction. 
skisoul96 GOLD said...
on Mar. 22 2011 at 5:30 pm
skisoul96 GOLD, Flushing, New York
13 articles 0 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
Don&#039;t worry about the world coming to an end today<br /> its already tomorrow in Australia.

View profile
thanx:) and ya i agree i could have made it more detailed and more persuasive but i was actaully writing it for a contest that had a limited word amount so i didnt have the freedom as i writer which i love to have, you know write as much as you frikin want? but its a good idea nad maybe ill do a rewrite, maybe you can give me some more advice on some of my other pieces?
Rory7 SILVER said...
on Mar. 21 2011 at 8:59 pm
Rory7 SILVER, Kanata, Other
6 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;Live Freaky! Die Freaky!&rdquo;-billie joe armstrong

View profile
All in all it was a very good argument, and I am completely with you on the recycling, reducing green house gasses, and conserving our energy. I just think you could have argued a little bit more. Some people would argue that they are our resources why shouldnt we use them? Stuff like, that, but  it is a very well written, very important issue
skisoul96 GOLD said...
on Dec. 22 2010 at 8:02 pm
skisoul96 GOLD, Flushing, New York
13 articles 0 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
Don&#039;t worry about the world coming to an end today<br /> its already tomorrow in Australia.

View profile
thanx, it was the affect i wanted. i wanted people to read and say "oops" and "yeah, i do that" and "gotta stop doing that". then they see why its soooo bad b/c the facts are right there staring them in the face and they can't say they don't do anything bad since they just admitted they did. it makes people feel guiltier than if I had just said "trees make oxygen and you need it so dont waste paper!" thanx for noticing cuz that was exactly what i had in mind. check out some of my  other peices:) 
LovableD BRONZE said...
on Dec. 22 2010 at 7:05 pm
LovableD BRONZE, Killeen, Texas
2 articles 0 photos 26 comments

Favorite Quote:
Are you living or are you exsisting

View profile
I loved the way you brought this to approach, because this really is a serious matter so keep put this out there for people can acknowledge their actions.
ThatClarinetPerson SILVER said...
on Dec. 4 2010 at 3:56 pm
ThatClarinetPerson SILVER, Tequesta, Florida
8 articles 0 photos 226 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Life. Don&#039;t talk to me about life.&quot;<br /> ~Marvin the Paranoid Android (from the Hitchhiker&#039;s guide to the galaxy series)<br /> Statistical analysis suggests that i am probably in tune with someone<br /> (hahahahaha! I love this cause i&#039;m never ever ever in tune &gt;o

View profile
It's also important to think about where the trees for the paper come from. The last temperate rainforest?
skisoul96 GOLD said...
on Nov. 30 2010 at 8:26 pm
skisoul96 GOLD, Flushing, New York
13 articles 0 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
Don&#039;t worry about the world coming to an end today<br /> its already tomorrow in Australia.

View profile
yeah, you'd know... remember our skit in Mrs. Z's class with Al Gore and Tarzan! Still laughing about that... miss you soooo much and thanks for you comment! BTW this was in the yearbook.
miriam1996 said...
on Nov. 30 2010 at 7:36 pm
 wow this is so persuadsive, good job on standing up and strtching your convincing voice to others.! amazing
skisoul96 GOLD said...
on Nov. 29 2010 at 7:06 pm
skisoul96 GOLD, Flushing, New York
13 articles 0 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
Don&#039;t worry about the world coming to an end today<br /> its already tomorrow in Australia.

View profile
LOL, tarzan! BTW this was in the yearbook. Keep checking this out and maybe more will be up. Surprised you liked the topic, though! Thanks for your support, you've been there all along! Miss ya...
ceezee said...
on Nov. 29 2010 at 7:02 pm
ceezee, Hollis Hills, New York
0 articles 0 photos 5 comments
View profile
loooooooooveeeee the intro!!!!!! :) and fiiine... the topic too... :) al gore's def on ur side!!!! :) and tarzan too!!!
oreocookie826 said...
on Nov. 29 2010 at 6:35 pm
wowww this is amazing!!!!!! if it gets published a bill. ppl would buy it, forsure!!!!!!!!
estybesty said...
on Nov. 29 2010 at 5:07 pm
wow alti this is so you, its like your future work-it should totally get published.