A New View

Even though more and more people are communicating through electronic media, are electronic devices more environmentally friendly than paper? Don't be too quick to answer because this month's mystery product offers a different perspective to the ongoing debate.Check out the following clues to guess what the 
item is:

• It is a myth buster.

• Initial versions have received outstanding 
 response.

• It can be re-used for educational purposes.

mystery product revealed

Memphis, Tennessee-based International Paper has launched a new brochure in its Down to Earth environmental series, "Pixels vs. Paper: Are pixels greener than paper?"

Every decision to communicate has some impact on the environment, and the brochure reveals some important facts about communicating on paper versus electronically. In addition, the new brochure includes some facts that may be surprising to some. For instance:

• Everyday the paper and forest products industry plants more than three times the number of trees than are harvested; paper is truly renewable and sustainable.

• Electronic devices are typically made of plastics and other non-renewable resources and often contain chemicals and metals.

• The amount of electricity to run a computer for only five months could produce enough paper for the average person to use for an entire year.

• Paper is biodegradable and nearly 60 percent of all paper in the United States is recyclable.

• Only 18 percent of all electronic devices currently are recycled and e-waste constitutes the single largest waste export in the United States.

David Struhs, vice president, sustainability, said, "International Paper believes pixels and paper both have a place in our communications future. By linking paper with the efficiency of electronics, we can streamline our communications and help maintain the best environmental balance possible."

There are three other brochures in the "Down to Earth" series: