As Bob Dylan sang “The Times They Are A-Changin’”. In recent years, the number of media
available has increased exponentially, but paper remains a key component for
marketing and communications. And
although paper usage has declined, and by all predictions will continue to decline,
paper is still a utilized and valuable resource whether it be to write a
personal letter, to launch a teaser direct mail campaign, or to keep someone
informed through a daily newspaper.
Two Sides North America is a great resource to learn
more about paper myths, facts, events and more.
Myths such as ‘making paper destroys forests’ are debunked. And they address how paper and print remain a
viable and successful medium for communication (or an integral part of a multi-media
campaign).
Once paper myths are dispelled, and an organization determines
paper and print is critical to their marketing program, the question often
becomes recycled or virgin paper.
This
is a complicated question and one that deserves a little background explanation
first.
The
simple answer is that recycled paper is important, but it isn’t the only way to
create sustainable, environmentally friendly products.
There are two types of paper sources that are part of a sustainable supply chain:
There are two types of paper sources that are part of a sustainable supply chain:
- Recycled sources (used paper that’s been collected, sorted, de-inked and dried back into pulp form and sent out to paper mills)
- Virgin sources (sawmill residuals and trees)
What
so many people don’t realize is that paper fibres can only be recycled 5-7
times! And this means that the input of virgin sources into the paper stream is
essential to produce good quality printing and writing paper.
Now
you might be thinking, which is better? But in fact, this question brings us to
somewhat of a moot point because both recycled fibre and virgin fibre are part
of the exact same paper cycle.
For Ariva, it’s about balancing our customers’ supply needs with the responsibility we have to minimize our impact on natural resources. And that's why we provide products that include virgin fibre from responsibly managed sources AND recycled content. Virgin fibre that is harvested using recognized third-party-certified sustainable forestry practices is as environmentally sound as recycled fibre.
Here’s
some valuable information to consider as you try to figure out what’s better:
recycled or virgin paper.
- They’re both from the same paper cycle
- They’re both part of a sustainable supply chain
- To get good quality printing and writing paper, you need both recycled and virgin fibres
- Virgin fibre that’s harvested using third-party-certified sustainable forestry practices is as environmentally sound as recycled fibre
- Consider the complete life cycle and understand the “cradle to gate” full carbon footprint – recycled paper may not always have a lower carbon footprint than virgin paper
So as much as “The Times They Are A-Changin’”, there are
still some constants. Paper remains a
part of our everyday life and a key medium for marketing.
George Buttigieg
Director of Sales - Ariva, a Domtar Company
P: 905-670-6084
1330 Courtney Park Drive East
Mississauga, Ontario
L5T 1K5
http://www.arivanow.com/en/index.asp
