Displaying items by tag: two sides

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has just announced that a record 67.2 percent of paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling in 2016.

U.S. paper recovery rate statistics are available at www.paperrecycles.org/statistics.

“The voluntary, market-driven recovery system, the millions of Americans who recycle every day, and industry efforts to inform consumers about the importance of paper recycling continue to enable a high U.S. paper recovery rate,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.

“Paper recovery for recycling helps extend the useful life of paper and paper-based packaging products, making it an integral part of our industry’s sustainability story,” said AF&PA Board Chair and Clearwater Paper Corporation President and CEO Linda Massman.

The annual paper recovery rate has doubled since 1990 and U.S. paper recovery has met or exceeded 63 percent for the past eight years. The industry has a goal to exceed 70 percent paper recovery for recycling by 2020 as part of its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability initiative.

For more information about paper recycling, including statistics and other resources, visit paperrecycles.org.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative - Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures over $200 billion in products annually, and employs approximately 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org

Results of a new survey conducted by Toluna Inc. show that a majority of Americans want to retain a choice for paper options rather than be forced into “digital-only” communications.

A new survey commissioned by Two Sides and conducted by Toluna Inc. reveals how U.S. consumers view corporate initiatives forcing people into digital-only communication by eliminating paper-based options.  The survey also provides insight into consumer opinions on the environmental impacts of digital versus paper-based communications.

Results indicate that many consumers want to retain the choice of receiving paper bills and statements at no additional cost.  For example, 79% of respondents want the option to continue receiving printed information as it provides a more permanent record, and 77% would be unhappy if they were asked to pay a premium for paper bills and statements. Other key factors in retaining paper options were ease of reading on paper compared to a screen (79% prefer paper) and unreliable internet access (49%).

Many respondents (85%) agreed that cost-saving is the main reason why companies use environmental claims such as, “Go Paperless – Go Green”, or “Go Paperless – Save trees”.  In addition, 57% of respondents reported that they question the validity of such claims.

Phil Riebel, President of Two Sides North America notes, “Our results suggest that the environmental acceptance for print and paper is improving.  For example, 88% of respondents agreed that when forests are responsibly managed it is environmentally acceptable to use trees to produce products such as wood for construction and paper for printing.  This is good news for the graphic communications and forest products industries.”  A large majority of respondents (91%) agreed that print and paper can be a sustainable way to communicate when responsibly produced and used.  This is an increase of 19% when compared to results obtained in a 2013 Two Sides survey.

More education is needed to raise awareness about the industry’s positive environmental activities, in particular its commitment to sustainable forest management and recycling.  Despite U.S. forests growing dramatically in volume in the past 60 years (58% growth) and 3% in area, 55% of respondents believe that U.S. forests have decreased in size.  The majority of respondents also did not know that paper is one of the most recycled products in the U.S. with recovery rates of over 66%. 

Compared to results obtained in 2013, almost three times more respondents reported seeing ads related to the effectiveness and sustainability of print and paper (35% in 2016 vs 12% in 2013), and the large majority rated the ads as credible and useful.

The full U.S. survey report can be downloaded at: http://www.twosidesna.org/US/The-Attractiveness-and-Sustainability-of-Print-and-Paper--The-US.-Consumers-view

Key Findings:

 “Go paperless – go green” claims are questioned by many

• 85% of respondents receiving environmental claims such as, “Go Paperless – Go Green”, or “Go Paperless – Save trees” believe companies are seeking to save costs (75% of 18 to 24 year olds).   
• 57% question the validity of these claims (48% of 18 to 24 year olds). 

Print and paper are seen as sustainable when responsibly produced but concerns about forestry persist

• 94% agreed that recyclability is an important characteristic of environmentally responsible products (91% of 18 to 24 year olds).
• 91% agree that, when responsiby produced, used and recycled, print and paper can be a sustainable way to communicate (86% of 18 to 24 year olds).
• 88% agree that when forests are responsibly managed it is environmentally acceptable to use trees to produce products such as wood for construction and paper for printing (81% of 18 to 24 year olds).
• 86% agreed that new forest plantations are necessary to counteract global warming (80% of 18 to 24 year olds).
• 79% agreed that reading from paper is nicer than reading off a screen (79% of 18 to 24 year olds).
• 78% are concerned about the effect on forests by the production of paper (also 78% of 18 to 24 year olds).
• 76% agreed that paper is based on a renewable resource (66% of 18 to 24 year olds).
• 76% agreed that print on paper is more pleasant to handle and touch when compared to other media (73% of 18 to 24 year olds).
• 56% agree that paper records are more environmentally sustainable than electronic storage of information (45% of 18 to 24 year olds).

Many need a paper option and don’t want to be forced into a “digital only” situation

• 79% of respondents want the option to continue receiving printed information as it provides a more permanent record (75% of 18 to 24 year olds).
• 77% would be unhappy if they were asked to pay a premium for paper bills and statements (70% of 18 to 24 year olds).
• 49% of all respondents don’t have a reliable internet connection and want paper records (44% of 18 to 24 year olds).

Home printing continues

• 52% of respondents print some or most of their financial services bills and statements at home.
• 13 to 26% of respondents print between 1 and 20% of their electronic statements at home, depending on the type of statement.
• 6 to 13% of respondents print between 81 and 100% of their electronic statements at home, depending on the type of statement.

Forest growth in the U.S. is misunderstood

• 55% of respondents believe that U.S. forests have decreased in area (62% of 18 to 24 year olds)
• 19% believe they have stayed the same.
• 11% believe they have increased in area (8% of 18 to 24 year olds). 

U.S. forests have increased by 58% in wood volume and 3% in area over the past 60 years (USDA Forest Service, 2012).

The great recycling story of print and paper is not well known

• 70% of respondents believe that less than 50% of waste paper is recovered for recycling (80% for 18 to 24 year olds).  
• 9% believe it is over 60% (4% for 18 to 24 year olds).
• 8% of respondents correctly answered that paper products have the highest recycling rate in the U.S. when compared to other materials such as glass, plastic and metals (5% of 18 to 24 year olds).

The current recovery rate for paper products in the U.S. is 66.8% (American Forest & Paper Association, 2016).

More people are seeing ads promoting print and paper

Over 35% of respondents indicated that they have seen ads promoting the effectiveness or environmental friendliness of print and paper.  This is almost 3 times more respondents than in our 2013 survey (12%), and the large majority rated the ads as credible and useful. 

About Two Sides

Two Sides is an independent, nonprofit organization created to promote the responsible production, use and sustainability of print and paper.  Two Sides is active globally in North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, Brazil and Colombia. Our members span the entire print and paper value chain, including forestry, pulp, paper, inks and chemicals, pre-press, press, finishing, publishing, printing, envelopes and postal operators.

Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds ™ Campaign Looks to Increase Appreciation and Demand

The Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds ™ consumer campaign launches July 8 with a $20M investment in paid and earned media between July and December funding this cross-platform campaign designed to slow the decline in paper usage and grow demand for packaging. The Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB), established as a checkoff program in 2014 by industry referendum, oversees this multimillion dollar campaign which uses an emotional, story-telling approach to generate consumer appreciation for paper and paper-based packaging.

The Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds ™ campaign, created by Cramer-Krasselt in Milwaukee, integrates traditional media including 30-second commercials, print advertising showcasing paper and packaging items that comprise milestones big and small, and a digital presence in banner ads, video and the campaign’s information hub, www.howlifeunfolds.com. Social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. The program is financed by U.S. manufacturers and importers from four industry sectors including printing and writing; Kraft packaging paper, containerboard and paperboard.

“The paper and packaging industry is a $132 billion dollar industry,” says John Williams, chairman of the Paper and Packaging Board. “It’s important that people know we have hi-tech jobs, sustainable practices and lead in manufacturing innovation – but the best way to talk directly to consumers about the unique attributes of products we make is to connect with them about the role these products play in their lives.”

“The campaign highlights relatable moments that connect consumers to paper and packaging products in meaningful, emotionally relevant ways,” says Mary Anne Hansan, P+PB’s executive director.

About Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds™

This new campaign from the manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging highlights the important role paper and packaging play in our lives, helping us accomplish our goals at home, at school and in the workplace. www.howlifeunfolds.com.

About the Paper and Packaging Board

The Paper and Packaging Board establishes and guides promotions designed to expand demand for paper and paper-based packaging products. Manufacturers and importers of these products participate in the Paper Checkoff, an industry-funded promotion program established by the USDA in 2014. www.paperandpackaging.org.

Survey highlights that 88% of respondents indicated that they understood, retained or used information better when they read print on paper compared to lower percentages (64% and less) when reading on electronic devices.

Chicago, June 23, 2015 – A new survey into the preferences of consumers for printed versus digital communications has been published today by Two Sides, the global organization created to promote the responsible production, use and sustainability of print and paper.  The survey, which was commissioned by Two Sides and undertaken by international research company Toluna, sought the opinions and preferences of UK and U.S. consumers on a number of issues relating to the change from paper-based to digital media.

Results of the U.S. survey highlighted that 88% of respondents indicated that they understood, retained or used information better when they read print on paper compared to lower percentages (64% and less) when reading on electronic devices.  The same trend was found for reading complicated documents with 80% indicating a clear preference for reading print on paper, and reading on screens showing a much lower preference than print at below 16% across all age groups.

The survey also revealed 81% found printed media more relaxing to read, while 62% of mobile/smartphone users (rising to 73% among the 18 – 24 year olds) were concerned about how these devices were damaging their health (eye strain, headaches, insomnia).  Overall, the survey reported that 81% of respondents preferred to read print on paper when given the choice.

“The results of this U.S. survey will be useful for all those who choose the way in which information is distributed, particularly for advertisers, marketers and educators who need to understand how information is being delivered, received, processed and retained,” explains Phil Riebel, President of Two Sides North America.  “While on-screen reading occupies an increasing amount of consumer time, people’s preferences are still for reading print on paper which they believe to be more informative, less distracting and less harmful to their health.  Results also show that many people are concerned about the effects on learning and literacy due to the switch from printed books to digital media in our school system.”  The Two Sides survey shows that 68% of respondents believe that books are more likely to encourage learning and the development of other skills than using screens, and that 63% of respondents worry that children are not going to learn as much without books.

While acceptance of digital media is generally stronger among younger age-groups, there is also a strong preference for print on paper existing across all ages.  

The full U.S. survey report can be downloaded at http://www.twosidesna.org/US/Reading-from-Paper-or-Reading-from-Screens--What-do-Consumers-Prefer.

Key findings from the Two Sides U.S. Survey

1.    88% of respondents believe that they understand and can retain or use information better when they read print on paper. There were only minor differences between age groups.  Reading on screen shows lower preference with the lowest being 41% indicating that mobiles and smartphones were useful for understanding and retaining information.

2.    When given a choice, 81% indicated that they prefer to read print on paper. These percentages drop to 39% for screens, laptops and PCs, 30% for e-readers and 22% for mobiles or smartphones. The preference for print on paper is seen across all age groups and is strong at over 77%.  

3.    81% indicated they are most relaxed when reading print on paper. Age group differences were minor. Mobiles or smartphones are seen as the least relaxing way to read with only 30% preferring this method.  Younger age groups indicated that they are more at ease with reading from screens than the over 45 age groups.

4.    71% indicated that they were more relaxed and receptive when reading a newspaper in print compared to 36% who felt more relaxed and receptive when reading a newspaper from a screen.  There were differences across age groups, however even younger age groups clearly preferred print over online.

5.    75% indicated that they were more relaxed and receptive when reading a magazine in print compared to 26% when reading a magazine on screen.  Differences among age groups were minor, with over 73% of all age groups preferring to read a magazine in print.

6.    80% stated a clear preference for reading print on paper for complicated materials in contrast to only 13% preferring to read complicated materials on a computer screen. Mobiles and smart phones were preferred by only 3% for reading complicated materials.  Reading on screens showed a much lower preference than print at below 16% across all age groups.

7.    The preference for reading long documents in print was also clear with only 32% indicating they prefer reading documents of 3 pages or more on screen.

8.    Only 23% indicated that they are easily distracted when reading print on paper whereas electronic media showed higher distraction ranging from 66% for mobiles and smartphones to 42% for e-readers.

9.    Many respondents print out documents. The main reasons are:

• 74% believe printed documents are easier to read
• 55% believe printed documents are more secure
• 56% believe printed documents are better for storage and archiving
• 47% believe printed documents are less likely to be lost

10.    The preference for printing increases with increasing age.  However, over 68% across all age groups indicated that they print because it is easier to read.

11.    44% to 57% indicated that they prefer paper bills by mail for their financial services, utilities, telecoms, mobile or smartphone and TV.  The over 45 age groups showed a higher preference for paper bills than the under 45 groups.

12.    Advertisements in print are clearly given more attention than their online equivalent:

• 64% pay more attention to advertising when reading magazines in print / 26% pay more attention to advertising when reading magazines on line
• 60% pay more attention to advertising when reading newspapers in print / 29% pay more attention to advertising when reading newspapers on line
• 48% pay more attention to advertising when reading leaflets received by mail or dropped at the door
• 26% pay more attention to general online advertising

13.    There are clear concerns that switching from printed books to digital methods is affecting education:  

•  68% believe that books are more likely to encourage learning and the development of other skills than using screens    
•  63% worry that children are not going to learn as much without books
•  59% believe that learning from books is the best way to learn    
•  58% would insist that their children learn from books    
•  42% believe that learning from screens, PCs, tablets etc. is just as effective as books

14.    62% of mobile or smartphone users, 59% of computer users and 50% of e-reader users are worried that these devices may be damaging their health (ex: eyestrain, headaches, insomnia).  Reading in print had the least health concerns with 22% concerned that it may be damaging their health.

About Two Sides

Two Sides is a global initiative by companies from the Graphic Communications Industry including Forestry, Pulp, Paper, Inks and Chemicals, Pre Press, Press, Finishing, Publishing, Printing, Envelopes and Postal Operators. Our common goal is to promote the sustainability and attractiveness of the Graphic Communications Industry and dispel common environmental misconceptions by providing users with verifiable information on why Print and Paper is an attractive, practical and sustainable communications medium.  For more information about Two Sides North America, please contact us at 1-855-896-7433 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Visit the Two Sides website at www.twosidesna.org and follow Two Sides on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. 

Link to the origional Two Sides North America article

Here are 5 key reasons why going paperless will not save North American forests.

1 – Our forests are growing due to sustainable forestry practices

In North America we grow many more trees than we harvest. In the U.S., between 1953 and 2012, the net area occupied by forests increased from about 300 to 310 million ha and the net volume of growing stock (which takes into account the number of trees and their size) rose about 60%[1]. In Canada forest area remained stable over the last 2 decades at about 350 million ha and less than 0.5% of the resource is harvested annually and must be regenerated.[2]

2 – Paper production is not a main cause of forest loss (deforestation)

Deforestation means the permanent or long-term conversion of forest lands to other land uses due to urban expansion, industrial development, resource extraction or agricultural development.   Worldwide by far the most significant cause of deforestation is the expansion of agriculture.[3] In the U.S., the main causes are development of cropland, pasture and urban areas (particularly the southern regions) and in Canada it is the expansion of agriculture and the oil and gas industry.[4]

Although woodland roads are a cause of deforestation, they make up a small percentage of overall forest loss and they do offer many positive recreational benefits for thousands of outdoor enthusiasts across North America (ex: mountain biking, hiking, bird-watching, fishing, hunting).

3 – Most trees don’t go into pulp and paper

In North America, the majority of wood fiber for papermaking comes from sawmill residues and recycled paper products.  Only 36% of the U.S. roundwood harvest (trees) is used each year in manufacturing paper and paperboard[5]. In Canada, 13% of the wood fiber to make paper comes from roundwood[6].  The main product made from trees harvested in the U.S. and Canada is lumber and it is the sawmill chips (by-products of the lumber process) that are a key raw material for pulp manufacture and eventually papermaking.

4 – Forest products provide an incentive for forest owners to keep land as forest

Most pulpwood harvested in the U.S. (89%) comes from private land[7].  Landowners receive income from the trees grown on their land which is an important incentive to maintain, sustainably manage and renew this valuable resource. This is especially important where landowners are facing economic pressure to convert forestland to non-forest uses such as residential housing[8].   Continued use of paper and other wood products may therefore be a key factor in maintaining a forested landscape for future generations.

5 – Paper is one of many products from sustainably managed forests

Due to its inherent sustainable features (renewability, recyclability, carbon uptake and storage), wood is a highly valued raw material for numerous products. In fact, the University of Kentucky - College of Agriculture has compiled a thorough list of hundreds of products made from wood.[9]

As paper use declines in mature markets such as North America, there may be temporary decreases in wood harvesting in some regions, until markets recover or new markets develop.  These economic slow-downs are not necessarily good for privately owned forests since forest owners lose income and may sell their forest land (see item 4 above).  

However, as our industry undergoes its transformation into innovative forest products and new markets, wood used for papermaking is being diverted to other uses such as dissolving pulp for textiles and consumer goods[10], biomass for energy use, and even biodiesel that you can put in your car gas tank.[11] 

So, how do we protect forests?  In my opinion there are a few priorities:

1. Provide incentives to keep forestland and continually improve sustainable forest management since most forest across North America are not under conservation agreements or easements, and many are privately owned.
2. Continue efforts to protect valuable forest areas.  Today only about 10% of forests are under conservation.
3. Try to minimize losses of growing stock from natural disasters such as fire, insects and disease.  In 2011 in the U.S., over 8.7 million acres of forest burned and there were over 74,000 fires.[12]  In 2012 in Canada, over 20 million acres were damaged by insects.[13]  These statistics far exceed the amount of wood harvested for forest products.

I will leave you with this extract from “Tree-Free Paper:  A Path to Saving Trees and Forests?” by Dovetail Partners[14]:

“While saving trees and protecting forests is a widely shared goal, avoiding the use of wood is not necessarily the way to get there. It is precisely the areas of the world that consume the least wood that continue to experience the greatest forest loss….It may well be, then, that the very foundation of the tree-free movement is flawed. Counter intuitively, continued use of paper and other wood products may be a key factor in maintaining a forested landscape for future generations.”

[1] USDA Forest Inventory Analysis, 2012 Forest Resource Tables

[2] http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/details/environment/use-of-forest-resources.aspx  

[3] Covington, P., 2013.  Deforestation and the role of paper products.

[4] Two Sides Blog, 2014. Let's Get the Story Straight on the State of North American Forests and Deforestation.

[5] Dovetail Partners Inc., 2014. Tree-Free Paper:  A Path to Saving Trees and Forests?

[6] Forest Products Association of Canada, 2012  

[7] USDA Forest Inventory Analysis, 2012 Forest Resource Tables

[8] World Business Council for Sustainable Development and NCASI, 2007

[9] http://www.twosidesna.org/Products-Made-from-Wood---A-List-of-Hundreds-of-Items

[10] http://ppimagazine.com/mills/north-america/projects/conversion-boosts-sappi-cloquet-mill-growth-strategy

[11] http://www.upmbiofuels.com/Pages/default.aspx

[12] USDA Forest Inventory Analysis, 2012 Forest Resource Tables

[13] Natural Resources Canada, 2014.  The State of Canada’s Forests – Annual Report 2014.

[14] Dovetail Partners Inc., 2014. Tree-Free Paper:  A Path to Saving Trees and Forests?

Cascades Fine Papers Group, a leader in the manufacturing of ecological fine papers and security papers in Canada, has joined Two Sides, the rapidly growing non-profit organization that promotes the responsible production, use and sustainability of print and paper.

"We're very excited to have Cascades Fine Papers Group join us. They have been a North American leader in producing fine papers with a low environmental footprint and are a great addition to our network as Two Sides begins exploring a Canadian presence. We look forward to working with them to spread the great environmental story of print and paper," says Two Sides President Phil Riebel.

"We are proud to produce paper. It is a beautiful, useful, recyclable and renewable tool, and we make it in a sustainable way. It is a pleasure for us to support an organisation that explains why people shouldn't shy away from paper and promotes the strengths and benefits of this great resource." says Julie Loyer, communications and sustainable development, Cascades Fine Papers Group.