Busting Myths: The Truth about Paper and Sustainability

We’re here to break down some myths you may have heard about the print industry.

You might be surprised by some eye-opening facts learnt in a recent survey by Two Sides in 2021. Let’s separate fact from fiction!

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Myth #1: European Forests are Shrinking

64% of European consumers believe European forests are shrinking, but that’s not the case. In reality, these lush woodlands have been growing by an area equivalent to 1,500 football pitches every day!

Myth #2: Paper is Wasteful and Bad for the Environment

The survey also showed that 39% of European consumers think paper is wasteful, and 37% believe it’s bad for the environment. However, when produced, used, and disposed of effectively, paper is inherently sustainable. It can be recycled up to 7 times, reducing the need for fresh raw materials and lessening the load on our planet.

Myth #3: The Digital Era Makes Paper Obsolete

We’re living in the digital age, but that doesn’t mean paper is going anywhere. Paper still has its place in education, healthcare, packaging, and more. Plus, the paper industry is stepping up its game by embracing eco-friendly practices like forest management certifications.

Myth #4: Digital is Always Greener

Digital isn’t always the “greener” option. Digital devices and data centres have their own environmental impact, including energy consumption and e-waste. So, it’s not just about choosing digital over paper; it’s about making informed choices and considering the bigger picture.

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Find out More

Our dedication and proactivity to protecting​ the environment through initiatives such as this make us trailblazers of sustainability in the industry.

To find out more about how we are a sustainable and low-impact business, visit https://parklanepress.co.uk/environmental/

To find out more about Two Sides and learn about even more industry myths visit: https://www.twosides.info

Closing the Loop: Our Commitment to Zero Waste to Landfill

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At Park Lane Press, we are motivated by finding new and better ways of doing things. This is why we are proud to announce the introduction of our Zero Waste to Landfill system.

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Why is this Important?

In 2020, 8.4 million tonnes of waste was sent to landfill and 20% of total UK waste generated was commercial and industrial. At Park Lane, we believe it is our responsibility to the environment and community to reduce our contribution to this waste as much as possible.

Recycling has long been a vital part of our day-to-day, with 97% of our waste being recycled, only a minimal amount has been sent to landfill in recent years. However, we don’t want to stop there.

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What is Zero Waste to Landfill?

Our goal is to create a closed-loop system to eliminate any waste going to landfill. All of our waste is now pre-sorted and as much as possible is recycled. Instead of being sent to landfill, the remaining unrecyclable waste is now collected for incineration to generate electricity. 

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The Benefits of Closing the Loop

Closing the loop is the ultimate goal of eliminating loss and waste. By establishing a system that utilises outputs like waste, recycling, and reusing them, we can significantly reduce the need for raw materials and minimize waste generation. This approach supports resource conservation and paves the way for a more sustainable and efficient future.

Zero waste to landfill reduces the environmental impact of waste disposal and waste being incinerated to generate electricity contributes to renewable energy production.

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Find Out More

Our dedication and proactivity to protecting​ the environment through initiatives such as this make us trailblazers of sustainability in the industry.

To find out more about how we are a sustainable and low-impact business, visit https://parklanepress.co.uk/environmental/.

September 2019 – messages from happy customers

Thank you so much for the delivery today. We are delighted with the print quality and the speedy delivery. Really very much appreciated. Katie.D

Just to mention, we are very impressed with the Hokusai invites, they look great! Many thanks for your hard work, this is very much appreciated. Sophie.B

They have just arrived – Thank you so much their beautiful Katie.O

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and your team for being so welcoming yesterday! I really enjoyed myself, and it was very kind how everyone took the time to explain and teach me how everything works. It is very interesting to know what is and isn’t possible as a designer too, so in future I don’t create problems for myself (or you!). Also thank you very much for all the treats you gave us, I have redecorated my desk space already! Jomilla.C

One very happy bunny named Lucy has just signed off the RCM artwork.  Thank you muchly, kind sir. Your efforts to allay Lucy’s dps image fears were met with smiles.  She thinks you are the bee’s knees, and thanks you for taking the time to ensure the college image works across that dps. Sarah.M

I just wanted to say thank you for Migraine News. We’ve just opened the boxes here in the office and they look fantastic as always so thank you Holly.L

We received these and are delighted with the quality. Many thanks for your help and excellent production standards. Matthew.W

 

March 2019 – messages from happy customers

Thank you so much for your work on the Skincare brochure, it looks beautiful and I have a very happy client! Emma.G

Thank you for getting the folders to us. They’re great. Victoria.C.

Thank you so much for the newsletters – they look absolutely fantastic! Such a good job! Everyone here is so happy with the print and finish quality of them (and the service from you guys). Our Press and PR manager was particularly impressed and excited to learn about the waterless process – I think it will spark a few conversations 🙂 Eloise.L

Just to say thanks for the file copies (ah, the smell of printing ink!) – looking good. Thanks for all of your support through a challenging production process. Onward next to the supplement! Lydia.T

 

 

October 2018 – messages from happy customers

I am writing to you on behalf of Chippenham Christian Fellowship to thank your company and employees for the generous donations we received in terms of items and providing leaflets for our recent Jumble Sale. Thanks to the kind donations we received we were able to raise £950 and the leaflets proved to be instrumental in securing donated items as well as advertising the event!Thank you so much for all your help and please pass our thanks on to your team, it was very much appreciated. Miriam.D

Just to say that I have now received the printed coastal strategies (they arrived last Friday but I’ve only got into that office today). They look great – please pass on my thanks to your colleagues who were involved. Emily.G

Please pass on our thanks to all concerned Tim.J.

WOW! You guys are amazing. Simply AMAZING! thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to this project. Brandi. F.

Needless to say they have been very well received there too so thank you very much for doing such a great job. Claire.L.

The brochure is fabulous and the colour as always is top notch. Thank you so much to you and the team for producing yet another superb publication. Leonora.M

Just to say a big personal thank you for pulling out the stops to get the brochure off on schedule even after we missed our deadline. It really was much appreciated. Thank your team from me. David .G

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2018 – messages from happy customers

Sorry I haven’t had a chance to email you sooner, just wanted to say thank you for the lookbook we received on Friday. All looked fab everyone is really happy with it! Lucy.F.

Cracking job on the sound of light job Chris, looks really strong. Great job all round team and making our work stand out from the crowd as always. Alex.R

David the designer was back in yesterday and saw it for the first time – he LOVES it and asked me to let you know. Wendy.R

 

 

February 2018 – messages from happy customers

Thanks very much for your efforts turning this one around so quickly Catherine.E

Please accept our sincere thanks for all the paper given to us at Rudloe pre-school, via Simon.  We are a small community charity based pre-school and the paper has been a huge help to our contributions of crafts. Leanne.D

Yes all received thank you, they look great David.R

Thank you so much for putting up with our chaos and still getting that booklet to us on time for the deadline. The print quality was excellent. We are now collating better quality imagery to replace the low res ones and hopefully with a 6 week lead time, next time it will be much less stressful! Katy.B

 

 

 

October 2017 – messages from happy customers

Many thanks once again for stepping in with the annual reports job for us. We have received them and they look (and smell) great! I love the smell of freshly printed reports for some reason! Alex.W

Just a quick note to say thank you for the leaflets. Your driver was extremely helpful too. Dagmar.S

Harvesting used water reduces costs

The days have long gone where printers create film and then expose the image onto plates using a print down frame. Making plates for the press is now completely automated. Once a customer approves their Epson proofs the files are sent to the plate processor where a set of lasers fire the image into the surface of the waterless plate creating holes in the silicone coating . It is then developed in water with fine brushes, which washes any debris from the image surface and is then stacked in sets at the end of the machine.

This continual process means that we use a considerable amount of water during the developing stage. We harvest the water from the waste pipe which leads into two large tanks which are located in the room above the toilets, we then use the water to flush our toilets, and general cleaning. Good for the water bill, great for the environment.