PUBLISHING NEWSPAPERS
Den Berg . This is an unsustainable situation , and the companies can ’ t continue to work . The paper mills and machines that have already implemented adaptations ( to other paper grades or machine shutdowns ) for their survival have to be further adapted in 2022 — the latest level of energy pricing reinforcing the profitability challenge . The rise in the price of electricity and gas will also negatively impact the industry .
Recycled paper availability is also a growing issue driven by high packaging demand and declining print consumption . Paper demand is not coming back to the average levels before the pandemic . Recycled fibre is increasingly used in packaging papers spurred by eCommerce that proliferated in the Covid-19 period . The newsprint producer cannot pay for poor quality recycled paper . With poor inputs , the paper machine efficiency and paper quality will decrease , and users ( newspaper printers ) will not purchase it again . n
Eco-labels on paper products can help to solve the Triple Crisis
Triple Crisis – Climate Biodiversity Pandemic
In a Wan-Ifra webinar on 13 October 2021 , Stefanie Eichiner , senior manager sustainability , UPM Communications papers said , “ Today ’ s environmental crisis is deeply interlinked and directly affects our health and welfare . The Triple Crisis has three pillars – climate change , biodiversity loss and the global pandemic . These crises don ’ t touch only on the natural environment , but directly affect economic welfare and health as well .”
Today , society depends on fossil fuels . Digging up the oil out of the ground has led to remarkable wealth and growth , but keep in mind all this brings us much closer to wild animals , wild plants , and insects that carry viruses that we have never been exposed to before . Many of the species became extinct because of this fossil drive . Loss of biodiversity brings global warming , and the increase in temperature drives the pandemic by giving breeding grounds to insects carrying diseases .
The increasing use of fossil fuels by the world ’ s growing population mainly depends on driving the demand for a high standard of living , digitalization , mobilization and urbanization . All seemingly positive developments may be good to continue but unfortunately have side effects . The growing population facing the problem of resource scarcity of recycled fibre , fossil fuels and pandemics plays a significant role in the economy ’ s downturn but upturn the packaging industry .
Governments in general look to safeguard the resources and health of citizens by tightening rules and regulations . However , consumer awareness is essential , and today , it is often the customers who are asking companies about sustainability solutions , while governments are obsessed with ‘ growth .’
In the paper and publishing industry , the main issue is the renewability of raw materials and sustainable forestry . It is about safe products and production – the chemicals in the material going into the paper and finishing should have low carbon energy and low emissions to water and air . The circular design on the packaging should show the three R ’ s - Reduce , Reuse , and Recycle .
Triple Crisis — Ecolabels on paper packaging
Paper manufacturers and users should start with a label that ensures safe production and product , have a sustainable value chain , protection from reputational risks and greenwash-free communication . So there are three steps to choose sustainability for publishing papers : – Choose sustainable fiber – a certified fresh fiber that is being harvested from the forest or recycled fiber .
– Know and reduce the carbon footprint – GHG ( Green House Gases ) emissions emitted during the life-cycle of paper production , converting or printing and distribution , from the production of raw materials used in manufacture , to disposal of the finished product . If the paper is manufactured from renewable
resources like biomass and uses biogas , and hydroelectricity , in the pulping and papermaking process it can reduce the carbon footprint .
– Ensure eco-efficient production – it is extremely important for paper manufacturers and leads to a more healthy and sustainable environment . Eco-efficiency means being less harmful . One route to eco-effectiveness is to eliminate fossil fuels .
There is a survey by Statista in 2017 , about eco-labels in Europe . The EU eco-labels are most known ( 27 %) among Europeans , followed by the Blue Angel ( 23 %), NF Environment ( 18 %), Znak ekologiczny eco ( 10 %), and Nordic Swan labels ( 8 %).
Using eco-labels , the paper industry shows the product ’ s life cycle from sustainable sourcing , processing using less energy , water and chemicals , and end-use , waste collection and recycling . Users , to ensure full sustainability must choose paper with an eco-label that covers its life cycle . n
– Girish Anshul
Indian Printer & Publisher | 1 November 2021
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