Industry must promote paper, says expert

The paper industry cops a bad wrap in an age where going green is on everyone's conscience. In the latest issue of Pulp & Paper Edge, Robert Eastment argues that the industry must promote itself better to balance these misconceptions.

Responding to a corporate Australia's push for environmentally sustainable 'green' practices, and claims that e-publishing is less detrimental to the environment than paper publications, Eastment pointed out a number of facts proving otherwise, such as a study commissioned by the British Government into climate change, revealing that 25 per cent of CO2 emissions caused by human activity result from motor vehicles.

"The paper industry must seriously undertake a coordinated approach to counter the many comments and statements made by those who are vilifying it for their own ends," Eastment wrote. "It is becoming critical that the paper industry, which is responsible for the employment of over 300,000 employees directly and indirectly, promote paper as a sustainable industry and product."

The Australasian Paper Industry Association, along with other industry organisations, are currently working on producing an information brochure detailing the merits of both paper and the extended paper industry. Recently, a new book, See Me, was launched to show the exclusive opportunities which paper and print can deliver. Eastment believes that while such campaigns are important, they must be furthered through ongoing industry support.

"This and other campaigns will require a united backing from across the industry," he concluded.