To Recycle or Not?

I was replying to a comment on the previous posting regarding recycling, and thought perhaps it would be better for me to write it here as well.

Not all the items we have been told to recycle, are recyclable. I cannot say for most of the items, but I learned from a friend who is in the paper manufacturing business, the process of recycling paper can be more damaging to the environment than the cutting of trees itself. Simply, he mentioned to me, for papers to have a white surface, the recycling process would need to use a large amount of bleach to remove the colours printed on those papers. Once the colours have been removed, only then the papers are sent for the next process.

Well, some may say the felling of trees to produces papers are harmful too. Agreed. But if I am not mistaken, TV3 once showed a documentary of a paper company in Thailand which claims to be environmentally friendly - they do not recycle papers, they recycle trees! Instead of clearing jungles, they replant trees on their huge trek of land for future harvest. I believe many are aware of this company, as many offices use their product in their daily use - Double A; one can check out their website by visiting http://www.doubleapaper.com/en/about/index.asp.
I welcome anyone wanting to add to this topic as it is an important subject.

Regarding my friend in this business, I am most fortunate to have to know him and the company. Without wanting to sound like a racist or nationalist, the company is about the only Malay/Muslim company in this part of the world that I know. As a secondary producer, they do not produce their own paper, rather buy huge paper rolls top be converted into napkins, face tissues, serviettes, and even toilet rolls.

Anyone in the paper business here?

Not Just A Mere Child.

I found this video on Anilnetto and was so taken by the content. Please, do watch and listen, then read it at Anil.