Every decision to communicate has some impact on the environment. For example, whether we email or send a letter, we consume energy and resources. There are environmental trade offs in every choice we make, and there is no simple “right answer”. Effective stewardship requires a careful examination of the larger picture that compares the entire lifecycle, from raw materials to energy use and end of life, to fully understand the impact and performance of both electronic media and paper. The facts may surprise you.
Raw Materials: Are They Sustainable?
PAPER:
Raw materials are renewable. The paper industry replenishes more than it takes and ensures sustainability by planting 1.7 million trees every single day, more than three times what is harvested.
The Dept. of Energy has stated that the carbon sequestered on forested lands in 2006 was greater than the carbon released from harvesting wood over the same period.
ELECTRONIC:
Making a computer requires the mining and refining of dozens of minerals and metals, including gold, silver and palladium, as well as the extensive use of plastics and hydrocarbon solvents.
The lifespan of a computer is short, and electronics have become the fastest growing waste stream in the world.
End of Life: How Does It Break Down?
PAPER:
Paper is a biodegradable substance that is also recyclable and reusable. Nearly 60 percent of all paper in the U.S. is recycled and more than 63 percent of the fiber used to make new paper products in the U.S. comes from recycled sources.
ELECTRONIC:
Only 18 percent of all electronic devices are currently recycled. 1.84 million tons of these devices were disposed of in U.S. landfills in 2006, and an estimated 30-40 million Pcs will be ready for disposal in each of the next few years. Additionally, e-waste now constitutes our single largest toxic waste export.
The fact is, both print and digital media must become increasingly more sustainable to survive, and the choices we make should be based on a data-driven comparative analysis of lifecycle and total environmental impact. The paper and forest products industry has been addressing sustainability for decades, and adheres to many third-party certification standards and government regulations. They have made great progress and have a true environmental story to tell.
Energy Consumption: Is It Efficient?
PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY:
One of the biggest users of renewable, low-carbon energy in the world.
60% of the energy used to make paper in the U.S. comes from renewable resources and is produced on site at mills. These facilities use combined heat and power (CHP) generation systems, which are 80-90% efficient. Fossil fuel use and purchased energy in this industry is steadily decreasing.
ELECTRONIC DATA CENTER SERVERS:
Taking only the servers that power the Internet as comparison, the electronics industry uses more than 90% fossil fuels purchased off the grid. The conventional power generation systems used are only 45-60% efficient. And the consumption rate for data centers in the
U. S. alone doubled from 2000-2006 and is set to double again by 2011.
Sources:
- Alliance to Save Energy, PC Energy Report 2009; Swedish Royal Institute for Technology; Paper & the Environment, ATS Consulting, August 2007; Institute for Supply Management (ISM, formerly NAPM); American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); International Energy Agency (IEA)
Illustration created by Stephanie Casino
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