Volume 11 Issue 4 ( December 2024)

This study utilized Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of printing and writing papers as its heavy reliance on natural resources and forest products. The results were converted to ecopoints to identify the main contributors to impacts with a total impact of 6.23 mPt. The bleached kraft pulp stage was found to be crucial across most inventory parameters and impact assessment categories due to Eucalyptus sp. for pulp production. This process causes a major environmental impact in the form of heavy metal pollution of 2.44 mPt and acidification of 0.882 mPt. The greenhouse gas emissions impact of 0.435 mPt is also the main environmental impact resulting from energy use. Implementing a sustainable green industry through cleaner production and energy efficiency should be prioritized to achieve sustainable industrial development, which aims to minimize the environmental footprint while maintaining economic growth, social advancement, and quality of life. The findings of this study can be valuable for the printing and writing industries to plan future investments that enhance sustainability through reduce their carbon footprint, minimize waste and pollution, and conserve natural resources.

Keywords: Printing and Writing Paper Industry; Life Cycle Assessment; Cleaner Production; Ecopoints; Environmental Performance