Print and paper is a versatile and sustainable medium for communicating. The materials used to make printed books and publications transform over many stages to become something you can hold in your hand (use), place on a shelf as a decoration (reuse), or share with a friend (recycle) .
Let’s get to the root of it and explore how the materials used in printed books and publications are sourced, and repurposed…
The tree landscape
Trees have many purposes, and being a renewable resource makes them even more intriguing. They provide pulp for paper, a shady spot to read, wood for lumber, homes for critters, food for snacking, privacy from neighbors, and so much more.
Did you know that the United States and Canada grow more trees each year than is harvested? “There are 20% more trees in the U.S. today than there were on the first Earth Day celebration in 1970”, reports the American Forest & Paper Association. Of the trees harvested, most are used to make lumber, not pulp and paper. The Paper and Sustainable Forestry infographic from Two Sides notes that in the U.S., only 36% of annual timber harvest is used for paper and paperboard, and in Canada, only 13%.
Purposeful paper
Once a tree is made into paper it becomes something that can be used, recycled, and even composted. Paper is one of the most recycled products in the world, yet fresh fiber is necessary, as paper can be recycled up to seven times before it becomes weak and breaks down.
What becomes of paper when it is recycled? In 2014, over 90% of recovered paper in North America was used in grades other than printing and writing grades, such as newsprint, tissue, container boards, and other packaging or board products, according to a Two Sides facts sheet.
Doing our part
At Sheridan, our roots run deep. We are dedicated to sound environmental practices and make ongoing efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. As a printer, with paper as a core part of our business, we are committed to implementing policies that facilitate conservation and sustainable practices. Sheridan sources printing papers from responsible mills and distributors that are certified with at least one certification from an independent third party verification. This provides assurance that customers are buying products sourced directly form responsibly managed forests. We also make ongoing efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, reuse energy and resources, minimize waste during the manufacturing process, and recycle 100% of scraps, trash, cartridges, equipment, and solvents whenever possible.
Doing our part to improve the world we live in. Being green is an everyday thing.