When you think of books, you may not think of the trees that produce them. However, most books are actually made from trees. It can be a fascinating fact to learn, especially if you are interested in the ecology of the paper industry.
Ancient civilizations
Many ancient civilizations have left behind clues about their technological advances and social customs. Archaeologists have come up with techniques to unearth these relics and recreate the buildings and homes of the past.
The neolithic revolution, a period of human history beginning around 6000 BCE, marked a revolution in animal domestication, crop cultivation, and urbanization. These civilizations were also unique in the way they structured their societies. There was a division of labor, a government, and an overall system of stability.
The best way to understand these civilizations is through artifacts. For example, the ostraca are pieces of pottery, jewelry, or other artifacts discovered in caves or archaeological sites. These are the only tangible pieces of evidence that prove the existence of an ancient society.
One of the most impressive feats of the Maya, one of the most advanced pre-Columbian civilizations in North America, was their written systems. They boasted a highly complex scribal system, a feat that remained a mystery until the heyday of the 20th century.
Papermaking
It was long believed that trees could be used to make paper. Ancient Egyptians used papyrus plants to make scrolls. This was the earliest form of books as we know them.
Today, most papers are made using gigantic machines. These huge devices cut and wash raw materials, spray pulp mixture on moving mesh screens, and dry the wet sheet to seal the fibers together.
Papermaking has evolved as a response to changing social and economic needs. In the past, it was a time-intensive, manual process. But now, it’s a lot quicker and easier.
One of the most popular papers is made from natural fibers such as cotton and linen. Other specialty papers contain cellulose fibers and synthetics, such as polyolefine and latex.
Some papers are coated to give them a glossy finish. This allows the ink to hold up better. A coating also provides a smoother surface.
Paper pulp
The production of paper has become a global industry. Papermaking technology has been refined to create beautiful art objects. However, some expensive papers still have to be handcrafted.
Today, most papers are produced by giant machines that cut, wash, and dry the raw materials. These large machines are as high as a three-story building. They are also used to produce other products such as toilet paper.
Paper is a thin, lightweight, and versatile material that is used in a variety of applications. It is primarily made from wood pulp, but it can also be manufactured from other resources. Cotton, hemp, bamboo, grass, and jute are all used to produce paper.
The first archaeological fragments of paper date back to the 2nd century BCE. Originally, the process of making paper involved beating raw plant material into a pulp. Later, chemical processes were developed to produce paper.
Paper used in the printing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
In the wake of the record-breaking success of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Scholastic announced that the paper used in the printing of the book will be at least 30% post-consumer waste fiber. The company also plans to use FSC certified paper in future printings of the book.
The Forest Stewardship Council certifies that the paper and pulp used in the printing of the books come from responsibly managed forestlands. The certification includes biodiversity conservation, land-use rights and worker rights.
During the printing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, nearly 22 million pounds of paper was used. Of that amount, 260,520 trees were sustainably harvested.
Since then, many publishers have switched to using Ancient Forest Friendly papers for the printing of their books. It is a challenge for them to produce consistent printings on this type of paper.
Ecological impact of paper production
The ecological impact of paper production on books made from trees is enormous. It requires huge amounts of water, energy and chemicals. This is accompanied by air pollution and toxic materials that are emitted into the air.
The paper industry is a prime example of exploitation of the natural world. Paper manufacturing uses pulp fibres, which are obtained by a complicated chemical process. For each kilo of paper, two to three trees are needed.
Recycled paper saves 2.3 cubic meters of landfill space, 26,500 liters of water and 1,440 liters of oil. Paper can be reused for a variety of purposes, such as for soil reclamation and in the power industry.
While recycled paper has been used for many years, the demand for it continues to grow. One reason for this is due to the cost competitiveness of recovered paper. In 2005, it was almost equal to virgin fiber.
