Two Sides North America
presents facts about paper
production, use and recycling
to dispel myths, promote
well-informed, confident
media buying decisions and
encourage greater responsibility throughout
the life of paper products.
Here are a few myths and facts,
according to the organization.
For more detailed information, visit
www.twosidesna.org/Myths-and-Facts.
Myth: Making paper destroys forests.
Fact: Paper production supports sustainable
forest management.
Myth: Making paper consumes a lot of
energy.
Fact: Yes, but most of it is renewable energy.
While some emails use misleading taglines such as “Save a tree – please con-
sider the environment before printing this email,” the U.S. Forest Service reports that
1.2 billion trees are planted each year.
Moreover, the nation has 20 percent more trees today than it did on its first Earth
Day in 1970.
Myth: Making paper is bad for the
environment.
Fact: Paper is one of the few truly
sustainable products.
Building on Two Millennia
Myth: Paper has a high carbon footprint.
Launched in 2012, Two Sides North America is a global initiative by companies from
the graphic communications industry, including forestry, pulp, paper, inks and chem-
icals, pre-press, press, finishing, publishing, printing, envelopes and postal operators.
Together, they promote the sustainability of the industry and dispel common envi-
ronmental misconceptions.
The organization notes that print and paper have been the preferred communica-
tions medium for more than 2,000 years.
By fostering a better understanding of the industry’s current environmental cre-
dentials, Two Sides believes print and paper will continue as the communication
medium of choice.
Two Sides battles misconceptions that the industry is responsible for large-scale
deforestation and adverse environmental impacts.
The first step is to find the myths’ source, said Phil Riebel, president of Two Sides.
bad.
Fact: Sustainable forest management
benefits people and the planet.
Myth: Print and paper is a wasteful product.
Fact: Paper is one of the most recycled
products in the world.
Myth: Electronic information is more
environmentally friendly than print and paper.
Fact: Not necessarily. E-media has
environmental impacts.
pulp and paper mill
Greenhouse gas emissions
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pulp and paper mill purchased energy use
Myth: Harvesting trees to make paper is
c o n t i n u e d o n pag e
Fact: It’s not as high as you think.
print works!
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