Mulch isn't typically paper grade wood though. It's either bark, or all the small branchy bits chopped up. So wood for paper and wood for mulch shouldn't be substitutable.

Where it does get marginal is with all the extra transportation and packaging.

"I then avoid the additional spend in energy, time, dollars, and effort on wood mulch. "

Agreed, that's as good a reason as any. Plus if we get to the point where our biggest problem is recycling or mulching cardboard I'll be happy.