(Representational image courtesy Telegraph India)

When was the last time you printed a document, scribbled notes on a notepad, or tossed out an old newspaper without thinking twice? These small acts seem harmless in the quiet hum of our daily lives. But they are adding up across India, to a much larger crisis than we realise.

At first glance, paper seems benign. After all, it’s biodegradable, renewable — right? Yet, behind every sheet lies a story of fallen forests, drained rivers, and exhausted resources.

Today, India ranks among the largest consumers of paper globally. With rising literacy rates, booming businesses, and growing packaging needs, our paper consumption is projected to reach 30 million tonnes by 2027.

And that’s just part of the problem. Producing one tonne of paper requires 17 trees and 324,000 litres of water. Beyond trees and water, paper production emits significant carbon dioxide and often involves toxic chemicals like chlorine for bleaching. Paper waste in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas 25x more potent than CO₂.

In a country where deforestation is depleting our green cover and over 600 million Indians face high-to-extreme water stress (a situation where the water demand exceeds the available supply), this is no longer just about waste; it’s about survival.

How India is already fighting back

But here’s........

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