Is the amount of paper it takes to construct a building an environmental problem?
Posted by Dave Robertson on Thu, May 28, 2009 @ 10:52 AM
Short answer ... yes. Almost every document produced today such as a drawing, specification, contract, transmittal or many others are all created digitally. Despite that fact, they are typically printed in multiple copies and distributed in paper form.
Large format drawings are a large contributor to the problem. There are an enormous number of sets printed from concept through to completion. They include sets for design development, coordination, development permits, building permits, tendering, contracts, construction, as-built records and others easily totalling 100 sets or more for a typical project.
Using our Environmental Impact Calculator we estimate that 100 average size sets of drawings and specifications weigh a total of 1.17 tons.
The impact of producing and distributing those sets is dramatic. It takes 28 trees to produce the paper. The energy used is enough to heat a home for 6 months. The Sulpher Dioxide emissions are equivalent to what 6 18-wheeler trucks emit in a year. The greenhouse gases (CO2) emissions are the equivalent of driving a car for 7 months. It is clear that reducing the amount of paper it takes to complete a project can have a very significant environmental benefit.