Escaping the cycle of excessive waste paper

The world is going through a tremendously difficult time, with wars, crises and environmental calamities almost everywhere we look.

These concerns require our highest attention. Yet we must also look at other aspects of our lives and consider what effect our individual actions are having on global welfare and the health of our planet.

The other day I had people over for dinner and received several gifts in nicely wrapped boxes with ribbons. In my thoughts, I returned to my childhood and wondered how we have become so accustomed to such rituals, yet do not consider their broader impact.

Many of you will know that I don’t really know when I was born. At the time, paper and writing were something of a luxury — there was no need to issue a piece of paper recording something as inconsequential as a date of birth.

Today, despite the various screens in front of which we spend our days, we are inundated with paper — in our letter boxes, at the office, in endless catalogs, cards and wrapping paper.

Global paper consumption has increased by 400 percent over the last 40 years, despite the simultaneous revolution in computing.

Pulp and paper generate the third-largest amount of industrial air, water and land emissions in Canada and the sixth largest in the US. It is among the top five most energy-intensive industries globally and occupies at least 17 percent of all landfill space across the world.

My thoughts were spurred by the many Hallmark occasions beyond birthdays, Christmas or Eid. Commercial interests have pushed us into buying cards and extravagantly wrapped gifts for all sorts of occasions, from Mother’s Day to Valentine’s Day, from Chinese New Year to a wedding anniversary.

If we can all be a little more thoughtful in our daily lives, we can cut a great deal of waste and the environmental impact of our actions.

Hassan bin Youssef Yassin

And, in response, we send thank you cards.

While cards and wrapping paper will often claim to contain a certain percentage of recycled material, they are usually covered in chemical inks, glitter, shiny surfaces and sticky tape, all of which are essentially microplastics that will prevent any paper content from being recycled. 

Instead of obeying commercial interests and acting out of force of habit or convention, let us reconsider our everyday actions.

We all know we should use less water at home, switch off lights and appliances, and reduce food waste through healthy habits.

Likewise, as individuals we should think more about our habits and mark occasions with a more meaningful hug and kiss, or a sincere word, instead of an extravagantly wrapped gift and card.

If we can all be a little more thoughtful in our daily lives, we can reduce both a great deal of waste and the environmental impact of our actions.

Most of all, we can set a positive example for the next generation, so that they may pick up healthier habits than our own.

• Hassan bin Youssef Yassin has worked closely with Saudi petroleum ministers, headed the Saudi Information Office in Washington, and served with the Arab League observer delegation to the UN.