We Have A Problem
Increasingly, in a bid to reduce costs, organisations are pushing their customers online to digital communications with misleading and unsubstantiated marketing messages like “Go green – Go paperless” or “Choose e-billing and help save a tree,” – but this is greenwashing.
Research conducted by Two Sides1 shows that consumers perceptions are impacted by these messages and they do not understand our great environmental story. Only 15% understand forests in Europe are actually growing, by 1500 football pitches everyday2, and just 18% understand our impressive recycling rates – 71% for paper3 and 82% for paper packaging4. In 2022, a total of 55 million tonnes of paper was collected and recycled in Europe3.
But, consumers do like and want physical printed mail. Data from the Trend Tracker report1 revealed that 76% want the choice and do not want to be forced to digital communications.
It Is Up To Us!
As an industry we must reassure consumers of the sustainable story of physical mail and paper-based packaging.
NEW – Two of the most popular Two Sides resources, the Myths & Facts and Packaging Facts booklets, have been updated to take in the very latest research, facts and findings about paper and paper packaging, as well as the latest Trend Tracker report from Two Sides.
The new Myths & Facts booklet explores nine common myths, from ‘European forests are shrinking’ to ‘Paper wastes precious resources’, before busting those myths by using a series of irrefutable facts. Meanwhile, the new Packaging Facts booklet sets out eight clear reasons why paper packaging is the natural choice for brand owners, retailers and consumers.
Two Sides also produces a range of resources designed to be shared on social media. These resources include a series of mini videos and factographics – small, easily digestible facts that can be quickly posted on any platform or used as part of a presentation.
Members of Two Sides can personalise all of the resources with their company logo. By adding your company’s logo, the co-branded Two Sides materials can be a valuable tool to share with customers and stakeholders and provide sustainable facts for your marketing teams to utilise.
Become Involved And Help Tell Our Great Story
Printers, mailing houses and anyone involved in the creation of print, should support Two Sides and use the resources created to help tell the great sustainable story of print and physical mail.
To date, Two Sides globally has successfully engaged over 1,180 organisations (UK 263) to amend or remove misleading statements about paper including, as examples; AXA, Barclays, O2, E.ON, BT, to name a few.
For more information visit: twosides.info/become-a-member
Contact us at: [email protected]
