Print and paper advocacy group Two Sides has launched a set of 11 European fact sheets to combat what it sees as environmental misconceptions of print and paper use.

The fact sheets, which make use of European-wide statistics, aim to highlight the sustainable nature of paper and print and the fact that far from being environmentally neutral, electronic communication also has an impact on the environment.

Managing director of Two Sides Martyn Eustace said the paper and print industries had taken “significant steps in managing their environmental impacts” in recent years.

“During the last 20 years, forests in Europe have grown by 42m acres – an area twice the size of Portugal – and the European paper recycling rate is at an all-time-high of 72%. Our role is to educate consumers and businesses that print and paper is a remarkable and sustainable means of communication.” 

Eustace said the organisation, which was launched in 2008 and is now a global movement, is regularly asked similar questions about paper and print, and settled on the fact sheets as the best way to disseminate the information.

“Two Sides has become source of reliable and credible information and it’s a place people come for the facts.”

The fact sheets, which can also be personalised by members with their company branding, are available to download free from http://twosides.info/Fact-Sheets and are available in the following titles: Electronic communication, “Go Green-Go Paperless” messages are misleading, Harvesting trees through sustainable forestry, Paper is one of the few truly sustainable products etc.