The June 2018 issue of the National Geographic magazine came to subscribers in a paper wrap instead of the typical clear plastic sheath. It is part of a multi-year campaign “Planet or Plastic” to raise awareness of the plastic pollution threat to our world.
By replacing the plastic sleeve on magazines mailed to subscribers in the U.S., U.K., and India, National Geographic will save more than 2.5 million single-use plastic bags every month. These efforts should be applauded.
But the thing I love about this particular environmental good deed is that the eco-friendly replacement for the plastic mailing bag was paper. Yes, paper! And this paper wrapper, like the magazine itself, is not just any paper. It is 100% PEFC-Certified Paper. PEFC Is the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification an international non-profit, non-GMO dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management. In other words, they guarantee this paper is made of wood from responsibly managed and renewed forests.
As a print designer, I have long championed the use of paper and endured the well-intentioned but sadly misinformed postscripts from colleagues and peers, encouraging me to “Save a Tree” by “not printing this email.” As the most recycled product made from fully renewable resources on the planet, paper has had a bad rap. “Save Trees” is a falsehood. In the United States, for every tree used by the wood and paper products industry nearly three more are planted. So, if you want more trees planted, use more sustainably-sourced paper, or at least don’t feel bad for printing that email.
Protecting our planet is a purpose we must all embrace. We can all do our small part. Reducing single-use plastic waste is a great first step. Substituting biodegradable, sustainably sourced wood and paper products is another. I for one, am glad to continue to produce printed collateral as a part of my design offerings.
More tips on how to reduce plastic waste can be found here: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/plasticpledge/. And for more about responsible forestry check out: https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/articles/what-is-sustainable-forestry.
