Today is World Recycling Day and we wanted to talk to Lorena Alzaga, Head of Sustainability and Environment, to tell us how Papresa and the recycling of paper and cardboard go hand in hand. Did you know that Papresa is the largest recycler in the Basque Country? We recycle paper from all over Spain, France and Portugal. Here we tell you about it:
Why is it important to recycle paper and cardboard?
By recycling paper and cardboard, we can conserve natural resources and preserve forests. It reduces the need to extract new raw materials. In addition, recycling paper and board helps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, which in turn reduces environmental pollution and contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable planet.
What is Papresa’s relationship with recycling?
Papresa is the main and largest paper and cardboard recycler in the Basque Country. We use 100% recycled material from selective collection (blue container), recycling more than 400,000 tonnes per year.
What does it mean to be the largest paper and cardboard recycler in the Basque Country?
To be a leading player in recycling. We are an important driving force in the economy of our environment, we collaborate in the generation of wealth in the Basque Country. We recycle paper from all over Spain, France and Portugal. In addition, we care for the environment by using 100% recovered raw material.
What are some of the environmental benefits of recycling paper and board?
At Papresa we help to reduce deforestation, as by using recycled fibres instead of virgin pulp, we avoid cutting down trees. In addition, recycling paper and board contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing process, as less energy and resources are required compared to production from virgin raw materials. Recycling paper and board saves water and reduces air pollution associated with the production of new paper.
What can we do to encourage paper and cardboard recycling?
Recycling paper and cardboard is an essential practice to promote sustainability and environmental protection, so it is everyone’s duty to educate and raise awareness about recycling and waste reduction. In this education, it is important not to lose the habit of returning to reading on paper, as it has been proven that what is read on paper is better understood.
What does Papresa do to raise awareness about recycling?
At Papresa, we want to tell what we do and how we do it in a clear and close way. For this reason, we make factory visits to schools, universities, etc. To show our paper manufacturing process. In this way, we make new generations aware of the importance of caring for our environment. We also work on transparency with the environmental declarations that we draw up every year.