Sustainability

ECMA Statement on the Recyclability of Folding Cartons

September 12, 2019

Statement courtesy of the European Carton Makers Association

With the adoption of the Circular Economy Package in mid-2018 and the discussions related to the development of the soon-to-be adopted Single Use Plastics Directive, the recyclability of packaging has come to the forefront of public debate. Specifically, in relation to the folding cartons manufacturing sector, questions have been raised in respect to the recyclability of folding cartons that incorporate a polymeric layer. In this context, the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA) would like to confirm the following facts and background.

The role of packaging

Packaging is essential to an efficient supply chain for consumer products. It has three roles in protecting, presenting and preserving products to minimize waste at each stage of the production and delivery process. Within the three roles, paperboard products also enhance the consumer’s experience by providing important information about the product, being easy to open and providing effective storage of the product in the consumer’s home.

From a protection perspective, folding cartons are especially effective in facilitating efficient shipping and storage through to the point of sale. Specifically, for the food sector, folding cartons help minimize food waste by reducing product damage, food deterioration and premature spoilage. With respect to effective presentation of products, folding cartons have strong aesthetic features, created by gluing or printing processes, to enable brands to create shelf stand out and drive consumer engagement. It is important that the many benefits of folding cartons in a variety of market sectors are fully recognized. It also is key to note that folding cartons are fully recyclable. This statement also applies to ‘coated board’ cartons; made from carton board which incorporates a coating or laminate from a polymer and/or a hot or cold foil to create added functionality or aesthetic value.

Contribution to the circular economy

Turns out that 100% of the carton board fibers used to produce folding cartons are obtained from renewable, non-fossil raw materials (wood fibers and cellulose and/or processed recovered paper). All of these materials used for the production of folding cartons in Europe come from sustainable and, in most cases, certified forestry management schemes (FSC, PEFC). It should be pointed out that forest areas are growing, with a 100% increase of European forests since 1950.

Folding carton packaging is an important example of the practical implementation of a circular economy in that the use of renewable materials and a well-functioning recycling system bring great environmental benefits. In addition, the replanting of forestry for the production of carton board facilitates the capture and sequestration of CO₂. Furthermore, paperboard packaging provides structural strength in the shipping packaging, thus reducing the shipping case fiber requirements and improving the overall environmental profile of the total package.

Functional barriers

Some products require specific barrier requirements to be incorporated into the packaging design to further protect the product which cannot be provided by carton board alone; for example, to provide a moisture barrier or prevent migration of gases. Depending on the product application and functional requirements, an additional packaging material will be incorporated into the pack design to provide this barrier, which could be of fossil or biogenic origin. Such combinations (known as “coated cartons”) tend to have a very small percentage of coating (often a polymer) applied to the carton board and are preferable to completely plastic-based designs, due to the substantial reduction in plastic use provided by the dual-material solution and can be recycled.

Cartons are fully recyclable

Carton board has a proven reputation for being a sustainable and fully recyclable material. The general public, who are largely already educated that carton board is fully recyclable, also should know that carton board can, and should be, placed into existing recycling collection systems. This also is true for the recyclability of cartons with a polymeric layer. All folding cartons currently are successfully recycled in conventional recycling mills, where there is good access to water for the fibers. At the same time, the folding carton manufacturing sector is working on the development of non-fossil/bio-based alternative solutions for coatings. However, it should be noted that this is not actually needed from the recyclability perspective for folding cartons.

Coated cartons are valuable resources

Coated cartons should not be considered a “composite” material. When laminated or extruded coated board combinations are used, these combinations of packaging materials can be effectively separated in the recycling process, with the result that paper fibers are recovered and, to a large extent, recycled into new materials. This is not dependent on how thick or thin the coating layer is, as long as it is an optimized one so that water can separate it from the fibers. In addition, nearly 100% of the fibers are recovered in the pulping process, thus recovering a valuable material for reuse in another product. Cartons with a good fiber quality and a polymeric layer are valuable to the recycling infrastructure in Europe and always should be entered into the recycling chain. Not to do so would mean that valuable fiber material would be lost and, because the fibers can be recycled many times, recycling always is the preferred option.

Why we need to improve collection and recycling

The contamination of the recovered paper flow can come from various sources and should, in general, be limited as far as possible. In certain countries, the separate collection of paper and board from other materials still is not fully implemented. The volume of anonymous underground collection in large European cities is unfortunately increasing. The communication toward households on how to separate in the different streams, therefore, needs to be further improved.

This overview of facts represents the position of the European folding carton industry and should be a basis for further deliberation and action around sustainability and recycling.

ECMA, the European Carton Makers Association, is the official organization for carton businesses, national carton associations and suppliers to the carton industry. ECMA provides the European folding carton industry with a dynamic business network. With its seat in The Hague, The Netherlands, and an office in Brussels, ECMA represents around 500 carton producers in nearly all countries in the European Economic Area. ECMA members account for around 70% of the total carton market volume in Europe and a current workforce of about 50,000 people. Learn more at www.ecma.org.

EnvyPak Clear Polypropylene Envelope Yields Surprising “Green” Strengths

June 19, 2019

Businesses that want to make eco-friendly strides to support the environment can make an impact simply by changing how they educate the public on the reuse of a simple, everyday product: EnvyPak polypropylene envelopes.

“The issue is about more than the materials we use. It’s about the responsible decisions we should make after the product’s initial purpose has been fulfilled. What are the next steps?” said Michele Cole, president of EnvyPak.

EnvyPak is based in Marysville, Ohio, and manufactures crystal clear, fully constructed plastic envelopes and clear packaging products from 100% recyclable, 4.5 mil polypropylene.

In the past, end users may not have given much thought to throwing away a single-use plastic item. Today, that’s all changed. “Forward-thinking manufacturers should always consider the purpose for reuse,” Cole added.

“Now, more than ever, it’s important to understand the role we have as individuals to reuse, reduce and recycle plastic products. Customers who use and receive our products face the same decisions.”

EnvyPak products can be reused

As a matter of fact, Cole wants everyone to know “the ‘green’ strength of our 100% polypropylene material is its capacity for reuse, given its archival properties.”

Polypropylene is an extremely strong, durable, archival and common recyclable material.

It is so inert and protective that it is frequently used for archiving, or when product reuse is needed to decrease material consumption and save energy.
Designed with a reduction of materials and package re-use in mind, all EnvyPak products are 100% archival safe and store important material without damaging the contents.
EnvyPak materials have undergone independent laboratory photographic activity tests (PAT) to confirm no harmful environmental reactions occur with their use.

EnvyPak envelopes and packaging products can be reused as ongoing storage for photos, papers and other collectibles that require archival-safe protection.

EnvyPak poly envelopes reduce packaging and direct mail volumes

Reducing product packaging is environmentally responsible.

When businesses use EnvyPak for flexible packaging, they’ve chosen a right-sized package that can be reused. Large, unnecessary paper packages create extra waste and often aren’t required for many products.
Companies that use EnvyPak envelopes for direct mail also can reduce their overall volume of mailings. A single EnvyPak mailing often earns higher results than multiple paper envelope mailings.

“Our customer results have shown that using EnvyPak poly mailers drives engagement and interaction in such a way that companies don’t need multiple mailings to get a higher return on investment,” said Jim Geers, EnvyPak director of sales.

EnvyPak recycling benefits

Polypropylene is 100% recyclable. Additionally, all EnvyPak materials are Proposition 65 approved for use.

For more information, visit www.envypak.com.

Dispelling the Myths about Print and Paper

June 12, 2019

by Phil Riebel, President
Two Sides North America, Inc.

Communicating the true facts about the use of print and paper continues to be a struggle with certain companies and entities spreading untruths about its sustainability. Two Sides North America, Inc. is on the forefront of tackling the relevant environmental and social issues head-on with factual, authoritative information that exposes the myths, explains the sustainable features of print and paper and gives stakeholders a solid foundation for making well-informed decisions about the use of print and paper.

Here, Two Sides North America provides an overview of facts and studies on sustainability as the organization advocates to keep the printing and graphic arts industry informed.

Changing perceptions by challenging “greenwashing”

A primary initiative of Two Sides North America is to challenge corporations when they are making misleading environmental claims about print and paper.

Two Sides North America has released a new infographic that illustrates why 118 North American companies and more than 360 companies globally have removed ‘go green – go paperless’ and similar environmental claims. The arguments for why companies are changing their messaging include:

Paperless ‘green’ claims must follow marketing rules in the US and Canada. Claims need to be accurate, truthful and supported by reliable scientific evidence based on accepted standards.
Papermaking is not a cause of forest loss in North America. The main causes are urbanization, agriculture, hydro power projects and other developments.
Corporate marketing lacks transparency about the environmental impacts of going digital. Electronic communications have a significant and growing environmental footprint and use non-renewable raw materials for manufacturing.
Consumers are not switching to digital due to green claims. Paper still is preferred by many, and a recent study has shown that paperless green claims do not convince consumers to switch to online services.

Paper and packaging have a positive story to tell

Paper producers and the forestry industry, in general, have been battling the perception that using paper and packaging products is bad for the environment. While there always is room for improvement, the paper industry has concentrated efforts on responsible forestry management, recycling and reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

One way Two Sides North America shares these messages is by showing how the paper and packaging industry is part of a circular economy where the renewability of raw materials, use of renewable energy, recycling and reuse all factor into the manufacturing design.

Know where your paper comes from – sustainable forest management

In the US, we grow many more trees than we harvest. Between 2005 and 2015, US forests had a net growth of the equivalent of 2,740 NFL football fields each day – that’s a total of almost 1.3 million acres a year. In fact, there are 20% more trees today than there were on the first Earth Day Celebration in 1970.²

It turns out that the consumption of paper and other wood products, along with sustainable forest management, is essential to maintaining this growth.

Private landowners provide more than 90% of wood and paper products in the US, which is an important factor in ensuring the long-term health of US forests. When receiving income for wood products grown on their land, family forest owners and other private land owners are incentivized to engage in smart, sustainable harvesting practices. Moreover, profitable forest management may prevent the conversion of land to non-forest uses like real estate development and agriculture.

Recycled paper and fresh wood are essential to the paper life cycle

In North America, paper is recycled more than any other commodity. The American Forest and Paper Association just announced that the paper recovery rate just hit a high of 68.1%, with a goal to reach 70% by 2020.⁴ Canada has one of the highest paper recovery rates in the world at 73%. Recycling is a key aspect of this circular economy – treating all materials, including by-products, as valuable resources rather than wastes. About 39% of the fiber used in papermaking in the US is obtained through recycling.

While collecting and recycling paper is good for the environment, wood fibers in recycled materials eventually become weak and break down after a maximum of five to seven times of use. Without fresh wood, recycled fiber quickly would run out and paper production rapidly would cease. As such, a continuous supply of fresh wood fiber harvested from responsibly managed forests is vital for keeping the paper life cycle going.

The carbon footprint of paper is lower than you think

Two Sides Go Green — Download a copy of this flyer at www.twosidesna.org/Two-Sides-Infographics/

A look across the life cycle of paper shows that its carbon footprint can be divided into three basic elements: greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration and avoided emissions. Each of these elements make paper’s carbon footprint smaller than might be expected: it’s made from a renewable resource that stores carbon, it’s manufactured using mostly renewable energy and it’s recyclable.

One of the great advantages of papermaking is that the manufacturing process uses a large percentage of renewable energy in the form of carbon-neutral biomass (wood waste from sustainably managed forests). Roughly two-thirds of the energy used by North American pulp and paper mills is self-generated using renewable, carbon-neutral biomass in combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

In a 2018 US consumer survey, 91% of respondents believed that when responsibly produced, used and recycled, print and paper can be a sustainable way to communicate.

Preferences for paper in a digital world

Paper plays a significant role in our cultural development – contributing to education, literacy, security and personal preference to receive information on paper vs. digitally. Between 2015 and 2018, Two Sides North America partnered with global polling firm Toluna to conduct consumer surveys on how Americans feel about print and paper. Results include the following:

88% believe they understand, retain or use information better when they read print
62% of 18 to 24-year-olds have concerns that the overuse of electronic devices could be damaging to their health
73% of Americans feel that reading a printed book or magazine is more enjoyable than reading them on an electronic device

Two Sides North America will continue to bust myths about the print, paper and packaging industry through facts, research and data. Find resources and materials on the website at www.twosidesna.org, including infographics, fact sheets and marketing tools, or learn about becoming a member.

Two Sides North America is an independent, nonprofit organization created to promote the responsible production and sustainability of print and paper. Two Sides is active globally in North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa and Brazil. 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. For more information, visit www.twosidesna.org.

Paper Production and Sustainable Forestry Keeps Forests Growing

March 20, 2019

According to Two Sides North America, a Chicago, Illinois-based organization supporting the graphics communications industry, between 2005 and 2015, US forests grew by the equivalent of 2,740 NFL football fields each day. In the US, more trees are grown than are harvested, and there are 20% more trees today than there were on the first Earth Day Celebration in 1970.

Private landowners provide more than 90% of wood and paper products. This helps ensure the long-term health of forests. Receiving income for wood products grown on their land, private foresters are incentivized to engage in smart, sustainable harvesting practices. Profitable forest management may prevent the conversion of land to non-forest uses like real estate development and agriculture. Healthy forests benefit the environment and economy by replenishing the supply of wood fiber, reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, creating trees that release oxygen into the atmosphere and providing hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Many people are aware of the importance of recycled paper products made from wood fibers. While collecting and recycling paper is great for the environment, wood fibers in recycled materials eventually will become weak and break down. Without fresh wood, recycled fiber would quickly run out and paper production would cease. Fresh wood fiber harvested from responsibly managed forests is therefore vital for keeping the paper life cycle going.

For more information, visit www.twosidesna.org.

Money for Trash: How One SGP-Certified Printer Monetizes Packaging Waste

March 20, 2019

Content courtesy of SGP

The Sayville, New York-based Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) is pleased to announce thousands of dollars in cost savings and more than 35 tons of recycling achieved as a result of new partnerships and innovations at certified facility Designtex, based in New York, New York.

As part of its decade-long SGP certification, Designtex engages in yearly continuous improvement projects to increase the effectiveness of its sustainability program. In 2017, the organization pledged to eliminate all waste from its production facilities. As a result of its recycling initiatives, Designtex saw a tremendous reduction in waste and earned tangible profits from recycling every month in 2018.

In 2018, Designtex took action toward its zero production landfill goal by forming partnerships with its own vendors and others in the community. They eliminated all waste in the following categories and generated thousands of dollars in profit from their recycled goods at the same time:

Packaging waste: Designtex now gets paid to return hybrid packaging materials to its vendor for reuse.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) waste: One of Designtex’s vendors pays for the return of not only their own HDPE waste but all HDPE waste generated by the facility.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) waste: LDPE waste is delivered to a composite decking manufacturer as part of a joint program with other companies generating LDPE waste.
Organic waste: A local composting company composts all organic waste from the facility for reuse as soil in the employee garden.

Paul Glynn, Designtex manager of materials and digital technology R&D and sustainability ambassador, credits employee buy-in with the success of its recycling program and other sustainability initiatives. “By working with employees from all departments,” he said, “the organization was able to design the flow around the program so that the program fits right in.”

When advising other facilities about sustainability, Glynn recommends they start with a small, achievable goal, learn from there and expand. “Don’t forget to reach out to suppliers,” he added. “They may already have a sustainability initiative that can help reduce your waste and costs, and if not, they may be willing to collaborate to create one.”

SGP certification helps printers stay profitable on the cutting edge of the industry by focusing not only on the current sustainable practices employed by a facility but also on its continuous improvement. As a result of these best practices, the average certified facility saves $43,000 a year.

To learn more about how SGP certification can help turn sustainability into profit, contact the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership at info@sgppartnership.org or visit www.sgppartnership.org.

Printing Industry Sets Course to Meet Sustainability Challenges

December 24, 2018

The Sayville, New York-based Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) held its 2018 SGP Community Day on Nov. 14 in Cincinnati in order to set a clear direction for a sustainable future.

The fifth annual SGP Community Day included in-depth discussions on a variety of issues and challenges facing the printing industry and the retail market along with informative talks on sustainability metrics, circular economy, green procurement and recycling.

“Working towards a sustainable future is a clear choice for the printing industry – you’re either on the ‘train’ that’s moving forward, or you’re left behind. Sustainability is not a fad. It’s here to stay. It’s addressing your people, your processes and your products. SGP certification fosters a continuous improvement journey toward a sustainable future and provides that needed validation,” said Jodi Sawyer, chair of SGP board and market development manager at FLEXcon. “SGP certification has gone from an achievement to a business-critical certification.”

Key challenges and opportunities for the printing industry that came out of the event:

Certification is a priority. Validation through SGP certification provides commitment to sustainability – the proof that brands and print buyers require.
With the new SGP Impact Tracker, there is instant access to metrics that puts printers on a level with other companies in the supply chain. No longer is there just a printer-to-printer ad-hoc comparison.
There are immediate solutions to environmental challenges. From recycle and reuse of print materials to indoor air quality, printers must consult with their supply chain and others to find immediate solutions.
The SGP Community provides leadership in sustainability. SGP printers, brand leaders, patrons and resource partners need to drive local sustainability and recycling initiatives in their communities.

In her keynote, “Building a Community: The Heart and Engine of Sustainability,” Ryan Mooney-Bullock, director of Cincinnati’s Green Umbrella Regional Sustainability Alliance, spoke about building a community and included group interaction on finding commonality to develop goals.

Paul Glynn, manager of Materials Digital Technologies R&D for Designtex and incoming SGP chair, led several discussions, including a case study of the SGP Sustainability Tracker and the recycling efforts at Designtex. “The SGP Impact Tracker provided insights into our operations that have made small adjustments to the business and our operations yield incremental sustainable advancement and overall better business operations,” Glynn said. “The Tracker is delivering a way to measure the sustainability impact of the entire supply chain.”

The Plastics and Recycling Panel was a lively discussion with David McLain, market development manager with Printpack, and Ashley Hood-Morley, sustainability director with the Plastics Industry Association. “The potential of plastic recycling is all about building the 4 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Reclaim into your company’s plastic strategy,” Hood-Morley said.

To learn more about getting print facilities SGP-certified, visit www.sgppartnership.org.

Alternative Available for Hot and Cold Foil Waste

September 4, 2018

by Carson Weisbord, Channeled Resources Group

Photo courtesy of Channeled Resources Group.

For many manufacturers, waste is an out of sight, out of mind problem after it leaves the facility. The garbage truck comes, waste is loaded up and it’s hauled away. That’s it. Many believe there is no choice when it comes to the destination. This certainly applies to hot and cold foil roll waste. A large majority of it is currently disposed of through the landfill.

Recently, the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has partnered with Channeled Resources Group to work toward changing this mindset and creating an alternative for foil waste disposal. The Chicago-based organization has long been an advocate for responsible environmental practices in manufacturing. Utilizing a global network, Channeled Resources finds sustainable alternatives for nonrecyclable waste and other obsolete materials. “We are delighted with the new relationship with FSEA. This partnership is a win-win for both: it allows for the development of needed feedstocks for Convergen’s engineered fuel, while providing a sustainable solution for FSEA members,” said Calvin Frost, Channeled Resources Group chairman.

A sustainable alternative for foil waste

Convergen Energy uses a variety of obsolete waste materials, including spent hot and cold foil rolls, to manufacture EPA-approved combustible fuel pellets shown here. Photo courtesy of Channeled Resources Group.

For many years, Channeled Resources focused exclusively on materials resold in secondary markets. In 2008 that changed. As the manufacturing world continued to increase focus on sustainability, Channeled Resources Group partnered with Convergen Energy, out of Green Bay, Wisconsin, to pursue a new venture: Waste-to-Energy. The new program provides a sustainable alternative for materials that have no value in secondary markets and would otherwise be sent to landfills. Convergen uses a variety of obsolete waste materials, including spent hot and cold foil rolls, to manufacture an EPA-approved combustible fuel pellet. These pellets remove and reduce coal usage in industrial power plants, burning far cleaner.

For eight years, Convergen sold these pellets to coal-burning power plants across the Midwest. At first, the volatile energy market led to struggles with revenue and inconsistent outlets for pellets. That all changed in 2016 when Convergen purchased a commercial power plant in L’Anse, Michigan. Pellets now are trucked from Green Bay to L’Anse daily to be used as fuel for energy generated by the plant and sold to the grid. Vertical integration has allowed the firm to focus on increasing material volume, growing revenue and closing the geographic loop for waste. Convergen’s processing volume has increased threefold since July 2017.

Cost effective and environmentally friendly

The Waste-to-Energy program is also easy for companies to join. Manufacturers send full truckloads of gaylord boxes filled with obsolete foil rolls to Convergen’s Green Bay facility. Upon arrival, rolls are guillotined, shredded and mixed with other nonrecyclable materials to produce fuel pellets. This solution offers an environmentally-friendly means of removing used or obsolete rolls from the waste stream with minimal changes to waste disposal practices. A gaylord box of foil material accounts for around 1,000 to 1,500 pounds. Once about 15 to 20 of these boxes are filled and stored, the manufacturer simply schedules a pick-up. The process minimizes freight costs and carbon emissions by shipping truckload quantities of material to Convergen.

While foil stamping produces a beautiful end product, more than 50% of the material used in the manufacturing process often is sent to a landfill. Disposal costs are on the rise, as landfill tipping fees in the Midwest increased nearly 27% in 2017. Increased tipping fees and efficient shipping methods allow manufacturers to make a transition to sustainable waste disposal at equal or lesser cost compared with landfill disposal.

Sustainable alternatives are becoming critically important as landfills begin to reach capacity. If waste flow continues at current volumes, it is expected that landfills could be full within 14 years. Additionally, when waste sits in a landfill, it releases large quantities of methane, a pollutant 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Residential waste also continues to rise, increasing tipping fees. Waste-to-Energy curbs methane emissions and helps avoid the construction of more landfills by decreasing demand.

Accessibility and future expansion

Convergen’s facility receives material from all over the Midwest on a daily basis, working with Green Bay-based freight carriers to coordinate backhaul pickups of Waste-to-Energy material. This minimizes carbon footprint as the trucks picking up this material would otherwise come back to Green Bay empty. Channeled Resources utilizes a trusted network of freight carriers to offer rapid, seamless pickup services.

The current service area includes Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Missouri and North Carolina. As capacity grows, the program plans to add collection sites and increase the service area in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City by early next year.

Almost all pre-consumer paper and plastic products can be utilized in this process, including printed products. However, no PVC, metal or food grade material can be used in the fuel in order to maintain a high level of quality and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Convergen also provides certificates of destruction for all materials, ensuring confidentiality for its customers. The certification also allows manufacturers to promote their conservation efforts to customers.

Waste-to-Energy is a valuable first step toward building a circular manufacturing economy. Through this process, waste generators can provide a renewable energy input at a comparable cost to landfilling.

Users of hot and cold foil now have an early opportunity to pursue sustainable waste management and work toward mitigating the long-term impacts of climate change.

For more information on the new partnership between FSEA and Channeled Resources Group, please visit www.fsea.com or email Jeff Peterson at jeff@fsea.com.

Started in 1978, Channeled Resources has grown into a global supplier of coated, treated, and laminated papers and films. In addition to manufacturing, Channeled Resources is a leader in developing alternatives to landfill use for pressure-sensitive adhesives, silicone-coated release liner and specialty films. Our goal is to provide cost-effective and environmentally responsible solutions to our global customers and suppliers. For more information: www.channeledresources.com

Sun Chemical Releases 2017 Sustainability Report

July 17, 2018

PostPress

Sun Chemical, Parsippany, New Jersey, has released its 2017 Corporate Sustainability Report, which details the work the company is doing to increase its use of bio-derived raw materials in its products and shows positive progress on its eco-efficiency goals.

The report outlines Sun Chemical’s sustainability roadmap, which uses a phased approach to improve the eco-efficiency of each production and non-production facilities’ processes and products by monitoring key metrics to understand and manage its environmental impact. Its internal key sustainability metrics measure energy consumption/conservation, energy carbon footprint, process waste reduction, water consumption, material safety and employee safety.

The Sun Chemical sustainability report is available to customers and can be requested at www.sunchemical.com/sustainability.

Paper and Print: Sustainable and Essential

June 14, 2017

by Phil Riebel, president, Two Sides North America, Inc.

What is Two Sides?

Two Sides is an industry-funded nonprofit that has carved out a presence as a familiar advocate for the sustainability of print on paper. Since its beginnings in the UK in 2008, Two Sides has grown to be present in five continents and several countries. More than 1,000 companies from across the print, paper and related industries support Two Sides, including such major industry players as Canon, Konica Minolta, Domtar, International Paper and many more.

Making progress in the battle against anti-paper claims

One of the key initiatives of Two Sides is an anti-greenwash campaign that challenges corporations when they make misleading environmental claims about print and paper to promote electronic services, such as e-billing, i.e. “go green – go paperless, save trees.”

To date, the campaign has resulted in more than 160 companies removing their anti-paper claims, including several Fortune 100 US corporations, such as AT&T, Capital One, Wells Fargo, HSBC and Sprint. “One of the benefits of anti-greenwashing campaign has been the opportunity to reflect on how we communicate our efforts,” stated Sprint’s Director of IT Care & Billing Services Business Management Alan Anglyn. “This caused us to review Sprint’s messaging about electronic media across multiple touch points.”

The main reasons for challenging the claims are the following:

Most of the marketing claims made are vague and unsubstantiated and do not meet country-specific environmental marketing guidelines, such as those of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).¹
The life-cycle environmental impact of electronic transactions, including the vast infrastructure needed, manufacturing of components, energy use, waste disposal and more, is far from negligible² and not properly considered by companies making the anti-paper claims.
Print on paper has unique environmental characteristics compared to electronics. It originates from a renewable resource – trees grown in responsibly managed forests in Europe, North America and many other countries. It is recyclable and is the most recycled commodity in many developed regions of the world, often with recovery rates exceeding 65 percent.
Marketing messages like “save trees” create a false impression that forests are a finite resource instead of a renewable resource that is continuously replenished using sustainable forest management practices in many countries. For example, over the last 60 years, the volume of trees growing on US forestland increased by 58 percent.³
The claims are damaging to local economies and threaten jobs. For example, in the US alone, a total of 7.5 million jobs (6 percent of total US jobs) that generate $1.4 trillion in sales revenue (4.6 percent of US total output) depend on the US mailing industry, which includes paper production, printing production, related suppliers, graphic design and the handling and distribution of mail.⁴

The campaign has resulted in major changes in marketing messages and, as such, millions of consumers throughout the world are less exposed to anti-paper and anti-print slogans.

Consumer surveys in the US^5,6 and UK⁷ also reveal that many people feel misled by “go paperless, go green” environmental claims. For example:

87 percent of adult Americans agree that “the main reason companies want to shift customers to electronic delivery formats is to save money, not to be environmentally responsible.”
80 percent did not think it was appropriate for companies to cite environmentalism when it is not their real motive.
More than 70 percent believe that print and paper are a sustainable way of communicating when produced and used responsibly.
50 percent or more of respondents don’t believe, feel misled or question “go paperless, go green” claims.

People want to have a choice…and a paper option

Switching to digital is not always welcomed by consumers, and many wish to retain the flexibility of paper-based, postal and electronic communications. Research shows that paper still has a place today, and many people want to be able to choose their preferences and even prefer print over electronic communications.⁸

Even today, not everyone is computer-savvy or has access to a computer. For example, access to a reliable internet connection depends on many factors, such as age, education and location. As many as 30 percent of Americans are not online, including 65 percent of seniors who don’t own computers.⁹ Forcing people to go paperless or pay added fees for paper bills and statements disenfranchises a significant part of the population. US consumer surveys show that 89 percent believe that “shifting customers/clients to online only documents disadvantages some groups, such as the elderly, disabled, low income and poorly educated.”¹⁰

Even those with computers seem to prefer paper for many tasks. US consumer surveys^11,12 found that most people prefer reading print on paper compared to screens and want to retain a paper option. For example:

88 percent believe that they understand and can retain or use information better when they read print on paper. Reading on screen shows lower preference, with the lowest being 41 percent indicating that mobiles and smartphones were useful for understanding and retaining information.
When given a choice, 81 percent of respondents indicated that they prefer to read print on paper. These percentages drop to 39 percent for screens, laptops and PCs, 30 percent for e-readers and 22 percent for mobiles or smartphones.
64 percent say they would not choose a company that did not offer a paper bill option.
50 percent read their bills and statements received both electronically and by postal mail; only 15 percent read bills that they receive by email only. Finally, 91 percent say they are unwilling to pay for paper bills.

Corporations that are eliminating paper-based options are passing printing costs to consumers given that 34 percent of respondents are “home printers” with 20 percent printing up to 20 percent of their bills and 8 percent printing between 80 and 100 percent of their bills. Respondents said that printed documents are easier to read (74 percent), better for storage and archiving (56 percent), more secure (55 percent) and less likely to be lost (47 percent).¹³

Consumers value the physical mail piece as a recordkeeping tool and reminder to pay.¹⁴ An integrated marketing strategy that includes both print and online components spans preferences and generations, allowing everyone to get the message.

Phil Riebel is president of Two Sides North America and has more than 30 years of international experience acquired in senior management positions in industry and consulting related to the forest products industry.

References

1. U.S. Federal Trade Commission, 2013. Environmental marketing guidelines.

2. Arnfalk, P. 2010. Analyzing the ICT – Paper interplay and its environmental implications.

3. USDA Forest Service, 2012. Forest Inventory Analysis.

4. EMA, 2015. 2015 Job Study.

5. Two Sides, 2013. Most US consumers want the option to receive paper bills and statement.

6. EMA, 2014. Highlights of EMA nationwide survey.

7. Two Sides, 2013. Paper bills and statements – A real necessity in a digital world.

8. Two Sides, 2013. Most US consumers want the option to receive paper bills and statement.

9. U.S. Department of Commerce, 2011.

10. EMA, 2014. Highlights of EMA nationwide survey.

11. Two Sides, 2013. Most US consumers want the option to receive paper bills and statement.

12. Two Sides, 2015. Reading from paper or reading from screens – What do consumers prefer?

13. Two Sides, 2013. Most US consumers want the option to receive paper bills and statement.

14. US Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, 2015. Will the check be in the mail? An examination of paper and electronic transactional mail.

Global Study: Most People Highly Value Paper and Print

Consumer survey results on global attitudes toward paper and print, as well as toward corporate environmental claims promoting digital over paper-based communications, indicate a clear preference for print on paper across all countries and regions analyzed. For more information, visit www.twosidesna.org.

Most people still need and prefer paper for many day-to-day activities. Organizations should fully investigate the implications of switching from paper to digital.

SGP Sets Direction for 2017 – Sustainability Goes Far Beyond Inks and Paper

March 10, 2017

by Brittany Sutphin, executive director, Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP)

At SGP, we believe that sustainability is a means of continuous improvement for every aspect of your business – from process to people to profitability. After all, if your business isn’t pro?table, it can’t be sustainable. That’s why our comprehensive accreditation ensures that printing facilities hit the benchmark across the spectrum and, inevitably, create a more responsible supply chain.

2017 is a critical year for the SGP and the industry at large. Due to the significant impact businesses have on the environment, there is an increasing expectation on businesses to implement sustainable business practices into the core of their operations.

Since its inception, SGP certification has provided a cross-industry sustainability initiative that supports the entire sustainability profile of print facilities. The multi-attribute certification is unique to the industry as it takes into account the entire print facility: its process, product and social areas. As part of the certification process, SGP assists printing facilities in reducing their energy consumption, eliminating waste, increasing recycling efforts and implementing innovative practices for a greener printing process.

In 2017, SGP anticipates certifying more than 50 new facilities this year, doubling the number of certified sustainable printers, following the increasing recognition for the certification amongst print buyers and the printing industry. Beyond creating real cost and resource savings for each unique facility, the certification of 50 new facilities will provide a significant impact on the environment.

Ensuring production of printed materials with the smallest environmental footprints possible, SGP’s industry-specific criteria and metrics address important environmental factors, such as waste, recycling, energy, water, air emissions, procurement of materials and much more.

We are proud of those facilities that have worked to achieve SGP certification as it is a challenging task but results in countless benefits. SGP-certified facilities represent all print platforms and sizes in the United States and Canada. Beyond creating real cost and resource savings, SGP certification differentiates businesses in the crowded marketplace and institutes a more accountable, sustainable supply chain. Currently, SGP-certified facilities benefit the environment in the following ways:

62 percent of certified facilities divert a higher volume of materials from landfills and incineration by increasing recycling.
62 percent of certified facilities significantly reduce VOC emissions.
52 percent of certified facilities report reduced energy consumption, lowering operating costs and waste.

As we encourage new certifications, there also are some great developments as we work with brands on their sustainability initiatives. As consumer demand for sustainability increases, brands are challenged to set ambitious sustainability goals. Developing supply chains that make a difference takes foresight and perseverance, and retail and consumer brands are taking on this challenge.

To further support this effort, we recently partnered with ANN INC. to launch the SGP Brand Leader Program, providing tools print buyers need to become champions as they align their print procurement best practices with their organization’s sustainability initiatives and goals. SGP Brand Leaders are committed to working with their print providers to achieve SGP certification and lower their environmental footprint, providing an increased sustainability profile.

“At ANN INC., we have taken a leadership role in infusing sustainability into our printed marketing and retail graphics programs. By working with SGP-certified printers, we have assurance that our printers are prioritizing sustainable business practices within their facilities through the third-party certification,” said Libra Balian, senior director of marketing operations at ANN INC. “We can’t just focus on using certified paper and other green substrates. The operational component of the printing process is equally important to reducing our marketing carbon footprint.”

SGP is committed to making it easy for brands and buyers to minimize their environmental footprint with respect to printing purchased, creating a powerful demonstration of commitment to sustainability along value chains. Print buyers are utilizing printers certified by SGP that share a similar sustainability mindset, which makes it easier for brands to accelerate meeting their sustainability goals and objectives. Adopting the externally-validated standard of SGP criteria as a benchmark, there is no need for print buyers and brands to develop “green” standards, checklists or scorecards, thus reducing costs associated with vendor qualification and verification.

SGP’s Brand Leader program is one of many steps the organization will take this year as it works to increase recognition from the printing industry and print buyer community. In addition to certifying printers that comply with rigorous environmental best practices, the organization will conduct conferences, seminars, academic studies and sharing sessions to help print manufacturers and print buyers create sustainable supply chains.

Print facilities interested in eliminating waste, reducing energy consumption, transitioning to sustainable materials and winning new business from organizations that require sustainable printing practices from their suppliers should visit www.sgppartnership.org/certification/ to learn more about becoming SGP certified in 2017.

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA), Topeka, Kansas, recently joined with the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), Sayville, New York, as a Resource Partner for the SGP community. To learn more about working with SGP as a patron or Brand Leader, please contact Brittany Sutphin at brittany@sgppartnership.org or 703.359.1376.

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