Paper and electronic media can co-exist even in a more environmentally friendly tomorrow, despite popular misconceptions.
Well, according to Memphis, Tennessee-based International Paper's brochure "Pixels vs. Paper: Are pixels greener than paper?," they can.
"The piece highlights carefully examining the larger picture and that both pixels and paper have a place in the future," said April Bryan, brand manager for International Paper. "By linking paper with the efficiency of electronics, we can streamline our communications and help maintain the best environmental balance possible."
This brochure is part of International Paper's environmental series dubbed "Down to Earth." The company began launching the brochures last year as a means of explaining often "technical and complex" sustainability issues in terms that are simple and easily relatable.
Bryan noted this brochure has been its most popular information piece.
"The piece really dispels misconceptions about the issue in a way that is helpful for our customers," she said.
For example, the brochure gets the discussion rolling by encouraging customers to consider whether pixels are greener than paper. This question is important because many people believe electronic media are more environmentally friendly than paper and have a smaller environmental footprint. Before making that determination, International Paper advocates the right questions and knowing the facts of the various trade-offs between electronic devices and paper.
In addition, the brochure addresses the differences between paper and electronics in three key areas within the lifecycle of both products.
The first area is raw materials.
• Paper: One of the great things about paper is that its primary raw materials are renewable, according to the report. The paper and forest products industry replenishes more than it takes and ensures the sustainability of our forests by planting 1.7 million trees every single day. That's more than three times what is harvested.
• Electronics: These are re-made mostly from non-renewable materials that require mining and refining of dozens of minerals and metals. The lifespan of a computer is short, and electronics have become the fastest growing waste stream in the world.
The next is energy consumption.
• Pulp and Paper Industry: Approximately 60 percent of energy used to make paper comes from self-generated, carbon-neutral resources, with power generation systems that are 80 percent to 90 percent efficient.
• Electronic Date Center Servers: Taking only the servers that power the Internet, the electronics industry uses more than 90 percent fossil fuels purchased off the grid, with power generation systems that are only 45 to 60 percent efficient.
Finally, it explores end of life.
• Paper: It is biodegradable and almost 60 percent of all paper in the United States is recycled.
• Electronics: E-waste constitutes the single largest toxic waste export in the United States and only 18 percent of all electronic devices are currently recycled.
Bryan added another brochure, which details land ownership, is scheduled for release in October.
Additional pieces will be coming out in the future, however, "no topics have been finalized," she continued.
"We've seen great interest and engagement from our customers on these topics and look forward to producing more relevant pieces that help them drive their business," Bryan said.
Companies with topic suggestions should contact International Paper at www.internationalpaper.com.