THE PROBLEM: Each year, the world economy cuts down four billion trees.  Since the 1950's, we have more than doubled our consumption rate.  Industrial extraction of wood to meet a growing demand is a main factor for worldwide deforestation.
The US consumption of wood products is three times higher than in developing countries and two times higher than other industrialized nations.  Despite well documented reports that show that the proliferation of the wood chipping industry is destroying forests, watersheds and wildlife habitat, clogging landfills, hurting indigenous people, and fouling the air, the pace of industrial logging is increasing.  Projections show that US rate of consumption will increase 46% percent by 2040 unless measures are taken to slow down our appetite for wood products.
Paper consumption plays a huge role in these figures.  Every year, the US consumes over 90 million tons of paper - over 700 pounds per person.  The US is by far the largest consumer of paper with Japan coming in second at 30 million tons per year.  Office paper, writing and printing paper, and newsprint are the three largest users of wood pulp.  Printing and writing paper consumption is approximately 30 million tons each year.
Colleges and universities consume a huge amount of wood products from building materials to toilet paper.  In 1992-93, colleges and universities spent $186 billion for goods and services with college bookstores' sales reaching $6.5 billion.  Colleges and universities have a lot of buying power; they can create new markets.