Re: [GRRN] Wood needed to make a ton of paper

Bruce Nordman (b_nedg@dante.lbl.gov)
Mon, 1 Mar 1999 12:44:09 -0800 (PST)

Robert Kawaratani's discussion of "yield" (tons of product per tons of
wood input) and wet/dry weight seems comprehensive. I always wondered
how many people can visualize a ton of paper at all as well as how
they can imagine the requisite number of trees.

I recall reading a discussion written a few years ago that arrived
at the figure of 31 trees per ton, qualified by many assumptions
and caveats. I think that one of the authors was Peter Ince, at
that time of the USDA, in the context of studying future fiber needs
for paper-making.

I can't wait till alternative fibers come into the picture--then we
can ask "How many bamboo stalks does it take to make a ton of paper"
or "How many bales of straw does it take to make a ton of paper. :)

--Bruce

Bruce Nordman
BNordman@LBL.gov
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
510-486-7089; fax: 510-486-4673
http://www.lbl.gov/~bnordman