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An investigation into sugar cane and wood fiber paper at UBC

University of British Columbia. Campus and Community Planning

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a front-runner and showcase of sustainable living. Currently, the university is using 30% post-consumer recycled, wood fiber paper, purchased from OfficeMax Grand and Toy, in all faculty and department offices. As an attempt to further UBC sustainable image, Supply Management is considering a shift to paper made from sugar canes utilizing TreeFrog as a sole supplier. A triple bottom line assessment is presented in this report showing that sugar cane paper is more sustainable, environmentally friendly and socially accepted compared to the current wood fiber paper. The main downfall of sugar cane paper is that it will cost UBC approximately $1.75 more, per 500 sheet package, for a similar performing paper compared to wood fiber paper. Social, environmental and economic aspects were all taken into consideration and analyzed in detail. Social indicators used include labor conditions, a social “license” of shifting to sugar cane paper, and the sustainable image of UBC. Raw materials, energy consumption/emissions of all aspects of production and transportation and recycling feasibility were used as environmental indicators. The economic assessment was heavily based on the purchasing prince of the paper and the effect on both domestic and international economies involved in each paper producing/distributing method (sugar cane and wood fiber) This report recommends that UBC Supply Management should alter its paper provider and begin to use sugar cane paper despite of the small increase in cost. The importance of cost may outweigh the social and environmental benefits, however, that is to be deemed by UBC Supply Management and beyond the scope of this investigation. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”

Text

University of British Columbia. APSC 262; UBC Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) Student Report

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0108449

Applied Science, Faculty of

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/