"There's not many industries around that can aspire to becoming genuinely sustainable. The paper industry, however, is one of them; it is inherently sustainable."
Jonathan Porritt, Chairman UK Sustainability Development Commission & Founder Forum for the Future
  Print House Ltd


Print House
142 Kent Street
PO Box 5544
Hamilton

Phone 0800 747 746
sales@phprint.co.nz

  There has been a concerted effort by some people within the environmental movement to push towards a paperless society over the past decade or more. Their agenda seemingly being to keep trees in the ground.
Due to this aspect and preconceived ideology, printing on paper is often regarded as a negative to environmental sustainability.
This suggestion could not be further from the truth... and while for some it is tough to overcome such ingrained beliefs, it is becoming increasingly evident that the sustainably managed paper and print operations are in fact having a positive effect on the environment.
"Forestry, paper and packaging are among the most sustainable industries in existence."
CEO Perspectives 2008, Price Waterhouse Coopers
Several key points to remember are that the paper and print industry has a neutral carbon footprint. Paper is a biodegradable product that can be sourced from managed, sustainable and replenishable sources.
The waste generated from paper usage is far less harmful to the environment than the technology based equipment that is being left discarded in many countries and in most instances it will actually consume less resources to print out that office e-mail and circulate it in paper form than to forward it by e-mail.
Immediately we come across contradictions in what is actually beneficial to the environment.
A comparison of the environmental impact of modern media revealed...
An annual report of 100 full colour pages releases about 80 grams of CO2.
A television commercial played on a Plasma 106cm display is equal in CO2 emissions to one copy of a 16 page paper catalogue.
Several well managed printing operations within NZ are now implementing recognised systems and procedures to assure customers they are controlling their carbon footprint.
'Green' accountability has been prerequisite for these companies for many years and they can assure the environmentally concerned consumer that the processes are in place to have a positive impact on the environment.
PEFC certified and FSC certified forest owners are obligated to replant trees at greater levels than they are being harvested.
Can your computer or internet provider assure you of doing the same...
In managed forests, for every tree cut down, three to four are replanted in its place. It's estimated that there are 25% more trees in the developed world today than there were in 1901, and in Europe alone, forests are increasing annually by an area equivalent to more than 1.5 million football pitches.
If the creators of environmental policy require more trees to be planted then they must ensure there is a return on investment for the forest owner. Harvesting legally managed forest that will be replanted to greater levels must surely be beneficial to both the environment and economic sustainability.
"When people use more paper, suppliers plant more trees.
If we want bigger commercial forests, then we should use more paper not less. Our policies should directly protect important wildlife habitats, not try to reduce our demand for paper."
Edward L. Glaeser, professor of economics at Harvard University © Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Co.
We need to encourage the planting of millions of trees to create a positive impact on the environment. Bread from wheat, milk from cows, paper from trees.
The key is to ensure the harvesting of trees from purpose grown crops.

We acknowledge and thank Martyn Eustace, Director of Two Sides, who has kindly allowed Print House to include information from the Two Sides website www.twosides.info.


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Did anyone ever become what they wanted by remaining as they were?