Send the right message with your emails

For years, we’ve been subjected to negative email footers that state “printing emails kills trees” or ones that encourage us to “please consider the environment before printing this email”.

Such statements imply that electronic communication always has less effect on the environment than printed materials.

The truth is that paper is one of the few truly sustainable products.  It is made primarily from a natural, renewable resource – wood – and it is one of the most recycled commodities in the world.  Over two thirds of the energy used to produce paper in North America comes from renewable biomass. When produced and used responsibly, most people believe that print and paper is an environmentally sustainable way to communicate.

So the next time you send an email, here are some alternative footers for you to consider:

• Printing on paper is renewable, recyclable and powerful. If you print, please recycle.
• Responsibly produced paper is one of the most recyclable, renewable and natural forms of communication. If you print, please recycle.
• Responsibly produced paper has unique environmental features. It is highly recyclable and comes from a renewable resource. If you print, please recycle.
• Responsibly produced print and paper can be a sustainable way to communicate.  If you print, please recycle.
• In North America, we grow more trees than are harvested every year.  Responsibly produced paper is an environmentally sustainable way to communicate. If you print, please recycle. 
• Paper production supports sustainable forest management.  If you print, please recycle.

Paper production helps maintain our North American working forests.  Thanks to sustainable forestry practices, we grow more trees than are harvested every year.  If you print, please recycle.