A lot of paper has clay mixed in with the wood fibers in order to give a smoother finish. So to a certain extent you are cutting earth.
A lot of cardboard has junk mixed into the mix because it's made from scrap. So you have no idea what kind of gunk you are actually cutting. A lot of folks don't like cardboard cutting comparisons for edge retention, because cardboard varies so much in composition, even within a single box.
And above all. Paper is made from wood. Cutting wood is harder on a knife than cutting meat or vegetables.