Is Print Media Bad for the Environment?
There is an ongoing debate whether digital is greener than printing and publishing. One of the most significant issues being tackled is the assumption that paper and print media increases deforestation. Well, most people will tell you that this is certainly true and that print media is clearly the culprit behind the constant cutting of trees. Nonetheless, before you jump into conclusions, scrutinise and examine the facts. So, you can accurately determine whether print media is detrimental to the environment or not.
To print or not to print; that is the case.
Nothing captures the essence of these feelings than the cliché, “think before you print” message in emails. The good news is that people these days are considering the environment before they start printing their emails. Evidently, this helps prevent deforestation and save trees. On the other side of the coin, some papers are necessary to work so it has to be printed. Without these paper services, it would be extremely difficult to conduct business.
Now, since there is a growing recognition of the digital media technology. Businesses are rapidly converting their printed documents into digital files as it requires no paper. When the change is made, the documents and other content are stored in a Cloud-based or virtual document management system. If your goal is to go paperless in order to save trees, then computers, cellular networks and data centres would allow it.
How “green” is your digital media?
However, going digital will not stop you from consuming more electric power. According to a Harvard physicist, as reported in The Times of London, a typical search on Google generates about 7 grams of carbon dioxide. Similarly, researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that the electricity required in powering the average American household uses approximately 10, 000 kWh of electricity annually. Therefore, even if digital media aids in the prevention of deforestation, in turn the use of electricity to power digital media increases energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
Can paper and print management reduce carbon “footprints”?
The truth is: if you select print. You have a better chance of making a more sustainable environmental decision because –papers are made from trees, and trees are renewable resources. Therefore, magazine papers, publication papers, catalogue papers as well as other paper products are biodegradable and recyclable.
This is contrarty to most energy sources today that come from non-renewable sources. As a non-renewable energy source, it comes in limited supply and cannot be reproduced instantaneously. While, on a different note, the effect of using papers from sustainable forests is greener and a lot safer for the environment.
HOW? Paper management is the concept of choosing to recycle paper products within its recyclability capacity. When paper is recycled several times, the manufacturing process can save thousands of forests from being damaged. At the same time, the use of clean technology prevents climate change and wildlife loss that is often the result of slipshod paper manufacturing and reckless consumption.
The bottom line, print media is not harmful to the environment and neither is digital media. Both media can, in fact, help in protecting the Earth’s last remaining natural energy sources and forests. Sustainable production and responsible consumption are the key to building a greener and more sound environment.
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