Two Sides: Paper Industry Undeservedly Suffers From Environmental Perception Problem

Two Sides’ latest study ‘Paper’s Place in a Post-Pandemic World’ aims to understand changing consumer perceptions towards print, paper, paper packaging and tissue products. This unique insight into consumer attitudes towards one of the world’s oldest and universally used materials will be repeated biennially to monitor and report upon evolving consumer perceptions as environmental awareness intensifies and alternative digital channels of communication become prevalent.Two Sides’ latest study ‘Paper’s Place in a Post-Pandemic World’ aims to understand changing consumer perceptions towards print, paper, paper packaging and tissue products. This unique insight into consumer attitudes towards one of the world’s oldest and universally used materials will be repeated biennially to monitor and report upon evolving consumer perceptions as environmental awareness intensifies and alternative digital channels of communication become prevalent.

Results of the 2021 study show that, whilst paper retains its place as a vital communication and packaging materials, there remain misconceptions about the environmental impact of the paper industry.

Consumers are not aware that European forests are growing:
The study found that consumers still believe forests are decreasing in size, with 59 percent of UK consumers believing that European forests are shrinking. In reality, between 2005 and 2020, European forests grew by an impressive 58,390km² – an area larger than Switzerland and equivalent to 1,500 football pitches of forest growth every day1. Other findings from the survey relating to forest growth include:

Just 9 percent of UK consumers understand that European forests are growing.
18-24 year olds (Gen Z) have the highest belief that forests are shrinking (69 percent).
Although more people believe forests are growing (9 percent compared to 4 percent in 2013), there is still a significant gap in understanding.

The high recycling rates for paper and paper packaging are not appreciated:Another common misconception about the paper industry is the amount of paper that’s recycled. The survey found that just 17 percent of UK consumers believe the paper recycling rate exceeds 60 percent. Furthermore, 46 percent believe that paper and paper packaging is wasteful. In reality, Europe’s paper recycling rate is currently 72 percent, with paper packaging even higher at 84 percent².

In 2019, a total of 57.5 million mtpy of paper was collected and recycled in Europe.
18-24 year olds have the biggest misconception relating to recycling, with just 12 percent believing the paper recycling rate exceeds 60 percent.
66 percent of consumers think only recycled paper should be used.

Paper vs electronic communication:
The past year has accelerated the growth of electronic communication, with meetings, events and day-to-day business increasingly being conducted online and consumers relying more on online news. While convenience and the ability for people to work at home are undoubtedly key drivers in this shift, the environmental impact of digital communications is often overlooked.

Paper and print products are among the lowest greenhouse gas emitters at 0.8 percent whereas, the ICT industry accounts for 2.5-3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and this is predicted to rise to 14 percent by 20403. Despite this, 66 percent of consumers surveyed in our report think electronic communication is more environmentally friendly than paper communication.

“This report shows there are many environmental misconceptions surrounding print and paper products,” says Jonathan Tame, managing director of Two Sides Europe. “Many consumers believe that European forests are shrinking in size, massively underestimate the paper recycling rate, and do not understand the sustainable nature of paper products. These misunderstandings make the work we do with Two Sides and Love Paper even more vital.”

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