Honoring Earth Day with a Look at Print’s Environmental Impact – Myths vs. Facts

18 Apr Honoring Earth Day with a Look at Print’s Environmental Impact – Myths vs. Facts

The phrases “going green” and “going paperless” are often used interchangeably, but the truth is that these two practices are far from one and the same. In fact, the conflation of paperless billing or communications with sustainability is an example of greenwashing, a term that applies to the practice of making false claims about the supposed environmental friendliness of a company or a product.

One of DATAMATX’s most trusted sources of information about the actual environmental impact of print and digital communications is the Two Sides Global Network, a non-profit organization that dispels common misconceptions about the sustainability (and lack thereof) of paper-based packaging and communications. In honor of Earth Day, DATAMATX is joining Two Sides North America in unpacking some of the greenwashed myths we encounter most often.

Myth #1 – Digital communications have little to no environmental impact.

The “invisible” nature of digital infrastructure leads many people to believe that electronic communications don’t contribute in any significant way to climate change. In truth, electronic communication has a significant environmental footprint that, in North America, is growing by 9% each year. The manufacture, use and disposal of digital technologies all have carbon costs that are estimated to account for up to 3.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a larger percentage than the entire aviation industry combined.

Myth #2 – Using paper is unsustainable and harmful to the environment.

Papermaking is an inherently sustainable process, as its raw material (namely, wood from trees) is continuously replenished through sustainable forest management and natural regeneration. Contrary to popular misconceptions, using paper doesn’t “kill trees” but in fact gives forest owners a powerful financial incentive to maintain their land responsibly. In addition, paper is recycled at a higher rate than any other material. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the recycling rate for paper products and cardboard were, respectively, 68% and 91.4% in 2021—a significantly higher percentage than plastics (8.7%), glass (25%) and metals (34.1%).

Myth #3 – Consumers increasingly prefer digital communications.

According to a survey commissioned by Two Sides, 85% of American consumers believe they should have the option to revert to paper bills and statements after choosing digital, and 74% believe they should not be charged for these communications. In the same survey, 68% of consumers reported that reading print books was preferable to electronic or web-based options. On the other hand, 74% of consumers reported concerns about the security of their personal data when held electronically, and 53% said they thought their digital technology use was damaging to their physical and/or mental health.

At DATAMATX, we support a non-greenwashed observation of Earth Day that prompts us to think critically about the true environmental impact of print and electronic communications. We also maintain our own strong commitment to environmental sustainability and take great care to select paper and envelope vendors with reforestation programs that responsibly replenish our natural resources.

For more information about greenwashing—and to bust even more myths about the print vs. digital sustainability—visit the website for Two Sides North America here.