Love Paper

While a blank piece of paper is a natural supporter of new ideas and creativity, printed paper takes it up a notch. There is satisfaction to be had in feeling the texture, hearing the rustle, and even catching that subtle “new book” smell. Plus, paper doesn’t need charging, so your book won’t bail on you when the batteries give up.

Paper is one of the most highly recycled materials in the world. In 2023, Europe had a huge paper recycling rate of 79%, giving those fibres a second or third, or fourth life! By keeping them in the loop longer, we’re squeezing every last benefit out of their renewable superpowers.

Recycling paper is great, but natural losses through the recycling process does mean paper cannot be recycled indefinitely, in Europe the average is 3.5 times before the fibres become too short to bond into new paper. At this point, they’re either composted, used in energy recovery, or turned into products like insulation or moulded packaging. Fibres recycled into packaging or newsprint are even better as they require less treatment than if recycled into bright white paper.

New pulp from sustainably managed forests is crucial for maintaining the cycle. Fortunately, forests cover 40% of Europe’s territory and continue to grow in both area and volume. Beyond providing wood and paper pulp, these forests play a vital role in combating climate change by absorbing and storing carbon, preserving biodiversity and preventing soil degradation. In this sense, paper holds an indispensable role in protecting both the climate and biodiversity. Between 2005 and 2020, European forests grew by 58,390 square kilometres – that’s an area bigger than Switzerland and amounts to over 1,500 football pitches every day.

“The paper industry uses respected forestry certification schemes to ensure that virgin fibre originates from sustainable sources. The two most recognised certification schemes are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC?) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).”

Is paper your preference?

In today’s digital world, the power of print on paper is becoming more apparent than ever. Consumers love reading in print, with many understanding the importance of “switching off”. In a 2023 survey conducted by Two Sides it was found that…

• 32% ?feel they are suffering from a “digital overload”
• 49% agreed that they spent ‘too long’ on digital devices.
• 65% of consumers prefer to read books in print.
• 52% of consumers believe children learn more when reading printed materials, compared to digital.
• 58% of consumers don’t pay attention to online adverts.

This survey by twosides.info proves that paper isn’t just old-school—it’s timeless! Whether it’s flipping through the pages of a good book, helping children learn, or skipping those annoying online ads, paper delivers in ways digital just can’t. So, grab your favourite printed book, jot down some ideas on a notepad, or send someone a handwritten card, because paper will always have a special place in our lives.

All information was gathered from the Love paper website. Click here for more information. For information on the FSC? and PEFC Click here

Take a look at our website to see the amazing things we produce with paper.??@fineprintuk