Let's take part in Paper Week

The distribution of printed material is very important in society, supporting democracy and ensuring the dissemination of information. Today, on the first day of Paper Week, a news story was published about a brochure that will be distributed to all households in the country.

An important security matter

Runólfur Þórhallsson, Director of the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management at the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, says in an interview with Morgunblaðið that these are instructions for the public to prepare them for events that could cause major disruptions to daily life. It is no coincidence that when the stakes are high, printed instructions are issued. This has been done in our neighbouring countries. It is by no means possible to rely solely on digital media in these matters.

Bringing out the best tools

Printed brochures are not only important in this sense, but they are also a powerful marketing tool. It is also no coincidence that as elections approach, election brochures start arriving through the letterbox. This is because when the stakes are high, the best tools are brought out. It doesn't occur to any politician or party today to run a purely digital campaign. There are many good reasons for this, all of which are supported by solid data. One reason is that printed marketing material increases trust. Another is people's screen fatigue and the enormous stimulus from digital advertising. With printed and personalised marketing material, it is possible to better capture people's attention.

Sustainable!

Paper is produced from sustainable commercial forests where the cycle of planting, cultivation, and logging is carefully managed. Only a small part of a tree is used for paper, in fact only the top part that cannot be used for anything else. Its other parts are used in furniture, interior fittings, flooring, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Forests used for paper and pulp production are cultivated and managed in such a way that they grow and regenerate. This promotes carbon sequestration, which helps in the fight against climate change.

High recycling rate

Paper has a high recycling rate. It is around 80% in Iceland, and in Europe, the recycling rate for paper is just over 70%, with paper often being recycled several times before the fibres lose their value. This helps to reduce waste and lower the environmental impact.

Today, the heavy burden on the environment and nature due to digital consumption is gradually coming to light. It is important to understand that our digital consumption, which is increasing day by day, leaves a heavy footprint with increased electricity use. Despite this great strain on nature, few people consider reducing it. A major awareness campaign is still needed in this area.

Let's print at home

It is worth pointing out that the Icelandic printing industry is strong when it comes to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Although we have to import paper for printing, production is based on renewable energy sources. The carbon footprint of the Icelandic printing industry is considerably smaller than in the countries we compare ourselves with. Efla researched this for the Icelandic printing industry in 2023.

Icelandic printing companies are in fact pioneers in environmental matters, using reputable certification systems that cover the entire supply chain, utilising renewable energy, and promoting environmentally friendly production. 

Let's take part in Paper Week

How can we take part in Paper Week?

• We can share facts about print and paper. We can highlight sustainability and the environmentally friendly industry.
• We can point out the necessity of accessible distribution for socially important printed material and that governments and the institutions responsible in these matters understand its importance. It is simply a matter of democracy.
• We can also point out how powerful a tool printed material is in marketing and all the research that indicates that printed and personalized marketing material yields better results.
• We can point out that printed books are important for promoting literacy.

During Paper Week, we will introduce the project Between the Covers. The presentation will take place at the Technical College, in the graphic arts building in Vatnsholt. The project promotes even greater sustainability in the paper and printing industry by recycling book covers into notebooks and other printed items.

The project is also intended to spark knowledge about bookbinding in Iceland, a discipline that is interwoven with our culture. The project is carried out in good cooperation with Góði hirðirinn and the Technical College. Registration for the presentation is here.