The Politics of Paper: The Industry of the Fox Valley

The effects of the paper making industry, like many other industries of its type, have been well chronicled since the inception of modern paper making techniques in the middle 19th century. Environmental impacts such as noticeably polluted air, water, and land have been part of the lament in popular writings through the 20th century. More generally, the woes of industrial effects upon the virgin American landscape have not only shaped our present, but have transcended time to remain as part of the American psyche. The crux of this debate is the dichotomy between technological advancement and environmental degradation. When talking about this dichotomy in relation to the American paper industry, it is apparent that there is an inverse proportionality. As technology advances and becomes more efficient, environmental degradation is decreased. This stems from the fact that industrial efficiency requires the sustainability of raw resources in order to produce more products for longer periods of time. In discussing this relationship, I will focus my attention on the Fox River Valley paper industry as a case study. Geographically and socially, this region is unique because of the necessity of waterpower for industry and the reliance of the community on paper making economics. The development of paper making in the Fox Valley paper industries led to the emergence of community concern for the environment and attempts at technological reform, despite the economic and social implications of these attempts.