Paper Gets a Green Light
Paper gets a bad rap from some people today. But their arguments are thinner than, well—the paper they’re printed on. That’s why I’m excited that our friends at Two Sides North America have started a worldwide campaign called Love Paper.
By now, you certainly know that I do!
It makes sense for us as a premier print management provider to feel that way. But I believe that any thinking person should. Because paper plays an important role in our lives.
And people are too quick to believe shallow, inaccurate information that paints paper as an environmental bad guy.
It’s actually a hero.
Paper Critics Are Sadly Myth-taken
In their Love Paper campaign, Two Sides North America provides factual information about print and paper products from authoritative third-party sources.
They quickly correct the common misconceptions spread about print, paper, and paper-based packaging, and demonstrate its sustainability.
The site contains plenty of eye-opening information. I’d like to share just a few of the facts presented that contradict the popular fiction.
-
The Forests are Fine
- Between 2007 and 2017, net forest area in the U.S. expanded by 2%.
So no, the forests aren’t “going away” or threatened. Sustainable forest management is a benefit to everyone—perhaps no one more than the paper industry. (Duh.)
In fact, U.S. forest area has been increasing by over 1,200 NFL football fields every day! Those who point fingers at paper are fumbling the facts. But now you know the real score.
- More trees are regrown than harvested each year in both the U.S. and Canada.
So today’s “chicken littles” can relax. Paper isn’t costing us trees, it’s adding them. What’s not to love?
-
Paper Gets Around…and Around
- The U.S. paper industry is headed for a recycling rate that exceeds 70%.
This avoids the waste and greenhouse gas emissions that would results if it were put in a landfill.
- Paper can be recycled as many as 5 to 7 times.
After that, virgin fiber (from renewable, sustainably managed forests) is mixed in to continue the re-use cycle even further.
-
The Power of Paper
- Paper Generates Power and Sustainable Results
Love Paper puts it this way: “Paper is fundamental to a circular economy because it is made with wood fibers which are renewable, recyclable and sustainable.”
In addition, the U.S. forest products industry is the nation’s leading producer and user of renewable, carbon-neutral biomass energy–achieved by burning the manufacturing residuals of trees grown to produce paper and wood products.
- Print is Priceless in Education
These “macro” discussions don’t even touch upon the important benefits print and paper bring to other parts of our world.
We all agree education is a critical component of improving the quality of life and the readiness of our youth to tackle the world’s problems.
Study after study confirms that people in general (and students in particular) remember things better when they read them on paper rather than a screen.
And students retain key class concepts better when they take notes on paper rather than electronically.
Love Paper Even More
I hope this has helped you see the real story when it comes to paper and eco-friendly print.
Ignore the baseless shots at print taken by those who are simply uninformed or have digital agendas.
Join the “Love Paper” campaign by spreading the real facts about paper.
At Superior, we’ve seen all that paper can accomplish in our nearly 100 years of helping businesses work efficiently. And it has played a huge role in helping us earn four consecutive Best of Print and Digital awards. (More on our 5th win very soon!)
Make Paper a Plus for Your Business
We’re the experts at making paper perform for our clients. Contact Superior today for some great ideas you can implement immediately. And sign up for our newsletter, where you’ll find important information like this on a regular basis.
We’ll make sure you can see the forest and the trees.
