A question that (new) customers regularly ask us: Is advertising in print media still compatible with sustainability? Nowadays, almost every company is working on an environmentally conscious image and all business activities are thoroughly screened for sustainability. Of course, we can only applaud that. So, we are glad the question is being asked!

This certainly isn't a plea against digital. Digital media have become indispensable in our society - including at Roularta - but for us, print and digital rather go hand in hand. Below are 5 reasons why you can (continue to) rely on print media with a peaceful and environmentally conscious heart.

Originally published by Roularta Local Media

1° Responsible suppliers & sustainable paper

Every Roularta paper supplier carries at least one eco-label that supports sustainable forest management. Have a look at the example of UPM, one of Roularta's larger paper suppliers: to minimize its environmental impact, UPM plants 4 new trees for every tree used in the paper production process. Good for 100 trees a minute, and 50 million trees a year!

Oftentimes, people forget that paper is a natural product and therefore perfectly renewable: wood fibers can be reused up to 5 times.

Fun fact: while already more than 72% of paper in Europe is recycled, for electronic equipment in Europe this is only 18%. (De Betere Wereld)

2° Zero solid waste

41 million tons: that’s the amount of waste coming directly from the electronics industry is responsible (De Betere Wereld). A reverse movement already made its way into the paper industry years ago, where they strive for 'zero solid waste', which means that literally every particle of the tree is used.

3° Prevention of CO₂-emissions

When paper is recycled, as much CO₂ as possible is stored in the paper itself, limiting the return of CO₂ to the atmosphere.

Did you know that 1 kg of paper retains (and therefore stops) 3 times more CO₂ than the production process emits? (papier.be)

4° Offline reading costs no energy

It seems so obvious, yet it is good to consider this as well: reading on paper does not require an ounce of energy. A rather important argument, when you know that digital reading absorbs as much as 10% of global energy consumption. (Ecotips)

5° Roularta cares

As a company, Roularta is very aware of climatic challenges and is trying in its own way to contribute to a sustainable society. We are thus committed to four SDGs (sustainable development goals), which include responsible consumption and lifelong learning. For this reason Roularta is also organising masterclasses on sustainable communication, to inspire companies with sustainable cases. To show that sustainability is not a buzzword, but here to stay.

Another important goal embedded in our SDGs: striving for complete CO₂ neutrality by 2040. Roularta Advertising also wants to do its part by offering advertisers and media agencies the possibility to offset the carbon emissions of their campaigns by paying a small additional fee. As such, we anticipate the CommToZero coalition - initiated by UBA, ACC and the magazine federation WeMedia, among others - which will start in 2023 and in which we participate as a matter of principle.