Print has been under attack recently, with
ill-informed or vested interest opponents claiming that print and paper is
inherently negative as far as the environment is concerned. This has been
highlighted with the NRMA deciding to publish its multi-million run Open Road
magazine only six times a year instead of 12, with the other six issues being
published online.
However as the flyer points out print and
paper are environmentally positive, whereas electronic media (TV / internet /
CD / mobile) mass communication is damaging to the environment. For instance
Australia's per capita paper consumption (magazines, newspapers, bills, flyers
etc etc) equates to 72kg of CO2 emissions, compared with six times that, 450kg
per annum for the average plasma TV.
Bernard Cassell, first chairman of APIA and CEO of CPI
says, "It is vital that those of us in the print industry become fully
informed in regard to the environment, so we are equipped to spread the
message.
"What we as an industry need to get
across is actually no more than the truth, that paper and print is the only
environmentally-friendly and sustainable communication medium."
APIA is strongly encouraging all print shop owners and managers to spend
time carefully reading the flyer, then photocopy or pass around your entire
staff and ask them to do the same.
Cassell says, "As I have travelled
around the country and discussed the need for such a campaign I have found
almost universal support for one to get started. Well now we have started it,
so it is now very much up to print owners and managers to make sure they, and
all their staff, get the message and spread the message. There are 100,000
people in the print industry, if all of them talk about it to their family and
friends we will be well on the way to influencing public perception."
The flyer is supported by a host of print,
paper and publishing organisations including APIA, Printing
Industries, GAMAA, the Catalogue and Magazine associations and the Australian
Bureau of Statistics
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