Is your business or home making an effort to go paperless for the sake of the environment? While a noble goal, you may not have the intended impact in some cases. In the quest to be more "eco-friendly," some companies are taking measures that don't make long-term economic sense or impact sustainability in the ways they had hoped. Here are some of the common misconceptions about digital consumption, printing and how these choices affect the environment.
Print vs. Digital Consumption
As a society, we are increasingly receiving our news and information in the digital realm. Many people believe that this is saving the environment, which may or may not be the case. The
KTH Center for Sustainable Communications in Sweden conducted a study on this issue with some surprising findings.
If you are someone who consumes their news and data electronically instead of on paper, you could be producing harmful carbon emissions from the electricity consumption. The study found that someone who used an electronic device 30 minutes or more per day had a greater environmental impact than someone who consumed their news on paper.
Another interesting point addressed the lifecycle of a single e-reader. If a consumer didn't read at least 100 books on an e-reader before upgrading it, their carbon footprint would be larger than if they had simply read paper books. If they read 200 books on the device, however, their carbon footprint is cut in half.
So, there is some advantage to electronic use for avid readers, but perhaps it's not as great as we initially thought. There are also some interesting misperceptions about the impact of printing on the environment, particularly in light of recent data and advances.
The Truth and Lies About Printing
If you're printing on paper, you can breathe a bit easier. Paper is now the most recycled material on the planet, with recovery rates reaching nearly 80 percent in North America. Paper itself is now considered a sustainable and renewable resource because it is recyclable, reusable and biodegradable.
Ink and solvents are another controversial topic for environmentalists. Fortunately, there is good news on that front as well. The best
commercial printers are now using low-impact inks which have the lowest levels of toxins. This new generation of commercial ink was designed to release the least amount of chemicals into the surrounding environment.
Get Started with AlphaGraphics
AlphaGraphics is ready to put the latest commercial printing technology to work for your business, education or personal needs. We specialize in wall graphics and
large format printing and are available to customize any graphics order. Our new location on Michigan Avenue offers quick turnaround times and is open by appointment only. Contact us today or request a quote from our
new website to get started with your graphics order.
