PM Modi promotes waste paper recycling, Echoes Tree-Cutting myth in Mann Ki Baat

PM Modi promotes waste paper recycling, Echoes Tree-Cutting myth in Mann Ki Baat

-India Faces Paper Waste Crisis: PM Modi Highlights Startups Leading the Recycling Movement
-Paper is made from cultivated trees (trees outside-forests) planted specially for this purpose- IPMA
-In India, an estimated 5 lakh farmers are engaged in growing plantations and around 12 lakh hectares on a cumulative basis across the country have been brought under plantations due to intensive efforts mounted by paper mills
-The Integrated paper mills have reduced water usage to 40 cubic meters to produce a tonne of paper from the earlier 200 cubic meters.
- According to IPPTA,Paper industry doesn’t cut forests as assumed for manufacturing paper since nearly 77-80% of the paper that is produced in the country was using recycled paper.

The Pulp and Paper Times

New Delhi, May 25, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned the spotlight on waste paper recycling in his latest Mann Ki Baat, praising homegrown startups for their eco-friendly innovations. While his call for environmental responsibility struck a hopeful chord, his mention of large-scale tree cutting in paper production reignited debate over what experts describe as an outdated narrative in the age of sustainable sourcing and circular economy practices.

A silent but significant environmental issue is making its way into the national conversation: paper waste. Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew attention to the growing volume of paper waste generated across the country. “Every day a lot of paper waste comes out. Maybe we consider it common, but you will be surprised to know that one-fourth of the country's landfill waste is associated with paper,” he remarked, urging citizens to recognize the impact of their daily habits.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need for greater awareness and action, stating that “every person must think in this direction.” Paper, often considered an eco-friendly material, actually requires vast resources for production. Manufacturing just one ton of paper consumes around 17 mature trees and more than thousands of liters of water. When disposed of improperly, paper adds significantly to landfill loads, where it can take months to decompose and contributes to methane emissions during decay.

"The paper industry is blamed for deforestation and the felling of trees. We often receive e-mails with the tagline “Please consider the environment before printing this email” or “Save Paper — Think Before you Print”. However, the scenario is not what it looks like," an Indusry expert stated.

It’s true that paper requires cellulose pulp and fibers from trees but that is just the tip of the iceberg. While wood accounts for 21-22 percent of raw material usage, non-wood sources including wastepaper and agro residue-based account for 70 percent and 8 percent, respectively (according to the CPPRI report of 2019-20).

According to Mr. AS Mehta, President & Executive Director, JK Paper Ltd, “Pioneering work has been carried out by the paper industry over the last three decades in promoting agro/farm forestry in the country. In India, an estimated 5 lakh farmers are engaged in growing plantations and around 12 lakh hectares on a cumulative basis across the country have been brought under plantations due to intensive efforts mounted by paper mills over the last several years”

“The paper industry in India is wood-positive – it grows more trees than it uses. Thus, it won’t be wrong to say that for every tree that is cut, several are planted in its place. Interestingly, not just wood-based paper mills, bagasse, and recycled-paper-based mills are also engaged in the plantation of trees as they see this as a necessary investment in the future as a safeguard against raw material and fuel availability,” according to a industry expert.

However, the situation is not without hope. Across India, a wave of startups is leading the charge in tackling paper waste through innovative recycling methods. PM Modi praised efforts in cities like Visakhapatnam, Gurugram, and Jalna, where young entrepreneurs are building businesses focused on sustainability. In Visakhapatnam and Gurugram, recycled paper is being transformed into packaging boards, providing an eco-friendly alternative to virgin materials. In Jalna, startups are producing packaging rolls and paper covers using 100% recycled content, reducing dependence on tree-based pulp.

Technology is also playing a key role in streamlining the recycling process. Some ventures are creating digital platforms that simplify newspaper collection and encourage urban households to segregate paper waste. These innovations not only reduce the burden on landfills but also conserve critical resources. According to environmental data, recycling a single ton of paper can save 17 trees, thousands of liters of water, along with preserving landfill space and cutting down greenhouse gas emissions.

The President, Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), Mr. Pawan Agarwal stated earlier that the Integrated paper mills have reduced water usage to 40 cubic meters to produce a tonne of paper from the earlier 200 cubic meters. He further stated that the Indian Paper Industry has invested to the tune of US$ 3.05 billion (Rs. 25,000 crore) in sustainable production processes and capacities in the last few years. Further, he quoted that the paper industry has reduced power consumption, and integrated plants are producing 40% of electricity by utilising biomass from the pulping process.

According to IPMA, Paper Industry in India is agro and rural based. Industry led agro/farm forestry in collaboration with farmers has brought over 1.2 million hectares under pulp wood plantations (mainly degraded marginal lands of farmers). At the current estimate, industry is using over 90 % of the total wood requirement from agro/farm forestry.

“For one, Paper Industry is wood positive, that is, the industry grows more trees through its agro/farm forestry initiative than it harvests. Paper is made from cultivated trees (trees outside-forests) planted specially for this purpose. Trees cultivated for paper production emit tonnes of oxygen before they are harvested, thus helping the environment” IPMA stated in its presentation uploaded on the website.

Reflecting on these developments, Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to contribute in simple but impactful ways. “When mountaineers can bring back waste in such a difficult state, then we should also separate the paper in our home or office and contribute to recycling,” he said. “When every citizen of the country thinks about what he can do for the country, only then can we bring about a big change.”

As India confronts its environmental challenges, the combined efforts of responsible citizens and forward-thinking entrepreneurs offer a promising path forward. The message is clear: sustainable progress begins with everyday choices — and even something as small as separating paper waste can help turn the page toward a greener future.
 

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