CANADIAN and US newsprint producers
are increasingly evading their governments' environmental regulations
which require a recycled content of 4060 per cent in newsprint. "But when
there is a shortage of newsprint, nobody
worries about how much recycled content you have in it," said a senior executive in a Canadian firm. And the manufacturers are putting pressure on the
authorities to turn a blind eye to these
deliberate slip-ups.
The shortage is mainly due to
increasing exports to the fast-growing
Southeast Asian markets. The industry
has also suffered a setback due to a steep
rise in the price of old newspapers (ONP)
used for recycling. ONP prices have shot
up over the past year from us $20 a
tonne to us $120 a tonne, goading some
producers to replace recycled pulp with
cheaper fibre.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.