Two Sides Challenges Incorrect ‘Facts’ by European Environmental Paper Network
LONDON—July 9, 2013—It has come to the notice of Two Sides that the EEPN, European Environmental Paper Network, who claim to be ‘a network of non-profit organizations working together to accelerate social and environmental transformation in the paper industry’, is making claims about the sustainability of the paper and associated industries which either require substantiation or retraction. Click here to view the EEPN's Paper Facts.
EEPN, amongst a number of questionable assertions and claims, falsely states that the paper industry is “one of the most destructive industries of our time’ and responsible for ‘a wide range of harmful environmental impacts’, ‘negative social impacts’ and ‘human rights abuses’. Whilst recognising that isolated problems can be found in any large industry Two Sides firmly disputes the implied scale of the impacts raised and, in the European context of the EEPN’s focus, questions the origin and accuracy of these assertions.
“While many of the EEPN’s goals are compatible with those of Two Sides and its members, its use of misinformation, incorrect ‘facts’ and exaggerated claims about the industry tell a story to the average consumer and large institutional user which is completely at odds with reality and must be challenged,” said Martyn Eustace, director of Two Sides.
Eustace continues, “In Europe, there are 2.7 million people employed within the pulp, paper, envelope and printing industries, estimated with a turnover of over €173 billion. In the United Kingdom alone, pulp, paper and printing employs 158,000 people and has a turnover of £21 billion. Misleading facts and statements about the industry jeopardize the livelihoods of many thousands of people in the print value chain and give a false impression of the real, lasting and sustainable value print can bring to media users”
Two Sides has published a fully researched report of EEPN’s claims and sets out the real facts behind a sustainable paper and printing industry. Copies of the report can be accessed here: Two Sides response to EEPN.
About Two Sides
Two Sides is an initiative by companies from the Graphic Communication Value Chain including forestry, pulp, paper, inks and chemicals, prepress, press, finishing, publishing and printing. Membership spans Europe, the United States and Australia. Our common goal is to promote the responsible production and use of print and paper, and dispel common environmental misconceptions by providing users with verifiable information on why print and paper is an attractive, practical and sustainable communications medium.
Source: Two Sides.
