To coincide with the launch of www.recycled-papers.co.uk, new research from Arjowiggins Graphic reveals that designers have seen a 50% increase in demand for environmentally friendly papers in the last two years – highlighting this as the most important attribute when choosing a paper stock.
The Arjowiggins Graphic Recycled Papers Survey 2009 also reveals that over half (53%) of designers do not feel they have the level of understanding required to provide sound recommendations on green paper usage for their clients’ briefs.
There are also misconceptions about recycled papers among designers, with a third (32%) saying that they would not use recycled stocks due to perceived lower quality for printed jobs.
Shannan Hodgson, Brand Sustainability Manager at Arjowiggins Graphic, comments: “Our research highlights a gap in the information available for designers about recycled papers. Many still believe that they are unable to benefit from the same quality and print finish when using recycled papers compared to stocks manufactured from virgin fibres. In reality, advanced product development in the area means this is no longer the case – designers can rely on recycled papers to deliver consistent high quality which has only previously been available with virgin fibre stocks.”
Launch video
Arjowiggins Graphic has also created a new video to reveal the paper’s impact on the environment in a thought-provoking way. The aim was to create a video to urge designers to think about their choice of paper and encourage the selection of recycled stocks instead of non-recycled papers where possible.
Created by leading agency Exo Design, the video takes a humorous look at the way that paper sent to landfill emits methane gas and features a range of different weights of paper letting off gas to show the impact they are having on the environment.
Shannan Hodgson continues: “We wanted to communicate a message about environmental responsibility in a way that would resonate with designers and creative printers and that would challenge traditional perceptions of the paper market. The result is a unique video that makes an important point while also bringing in a touch of humour.”
Environmental benefit statement
The launch of www.recycled-papers.co.uk is just one way that Arjowiggins Graphic is raising awareness of environmental issues. Designers can also access a new, simpler version of the Arjowiggins Graphic environmental benefit statement which, for the first time, includes figures about the equivalent reduction in landfill for any given print job using recycled paper. The statement outlines how, by using recycled stocks, a company has reduced its impact on the environment using measures such as number of trees, water, energy and carbon dioxide consumption.
Visitors to the www.recycled-papers.co.uk website can receive their own personalised environmental benefit statement containing details about the impact of any given brief.
