Does An Eco Magazine Have To Be So Green You Can’t Touch It?
Is the old-fashioned paper magazine got to go if you are trying to create an eco friendly house?
Well, This is one that even I struggle with, as I love to hold things in my hand when I read them – especially if it about something that I am passionate about.
But should I feel guilty about all that paper, all that ink and all that postage? Should I be scrolling down on my computer instead?
So, to help you decide, I am giving you the green versions of all the problems along the way - and why paper doesn’t have to be physically recycled to be eco friendly!
The Paper:
No longer does a magazine have to be made with illegally or unsustainably ‘farmed’ virgin pulp from the rainforests of the Amazon or Borneo. It can be made from either recycled paper, or from FSC certified wood.
The first option means that you are actively making all your other recycling worth while as you are creating a market for used goods – and the more people that buy recycled goods, the more recycling we will see as a whole.
The FSC certified paper will mean that the paper you are reading has not been sourced from anywhere that is damaging the environment or the habitat that it came from. And as new trees are planted all the time to keep the woodlands balanced, more carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere than if the existing ‘older’ forest remained intact.
The Ink:
There are many different inks available today that are less polluting than existing versions, and those that are made with vegetable oils are becoming much more common. This trend means that the components of the ink are now naturally degradable rather than releasing man-made chemicals into the environment.
There are also techniques that mean that less ink is used per letter typed, therefore reducing the volume or ink used per magazine.
The Postage:
Many magazines are now packaged in biodegradable clear packaging – which will clearly state how to dispose of it – but there are many that are not – so you may need to write to them and ask why?
Also, many magazines (even those in biodegradable wrapping) and those who write about global issues, still fill their magazines with advertising material, which ultimately weighs down the overall package.
Not only are these ‘leaflets’ making the postal service use more fuel to transport them (imagine 10,000 people all getting sent the same 3 leaflets extra – it soon adds up for more fuel), but they will no doubt get put straight into the recycling bin, as most people just want to read the magazine, not read about greener grass or an over 50′s health plan!
The Opposition:
So, should we all read our magazines online instead? With no paper, ink, postage or deforestation to worry about it should be an easy decision, right?
One clear benefit will be financial – but not for you and your friends. If you can’t pass on your old magazines to your friends and family anymore, then they will all have to buy their own copy – which will mean that ‘real’ eco magazines will get 1000′s more £’s or $’s to put towards their green causes!
But on the not-so-positive side – well, lets just think about this first: How green is the computer, laptop, e-reader or smart phone you are reading your online magazine on?
Now I know that there are many computers involved in the making of the paper magazine these days, but that’s where it stops. So unless you have an eco friendly branded electronic device – how many rare minerals and toxic compounds have been used to create your ‘online magazine’?
And, are you charging your laptop or ‘phone with renewable green energy – or are you still using the uber polluting coal-fired electricity to keep your devices going?
And one final point is what will I read in my doctors waiting room if all magazines are online only? Will the surgery need to provide e-readers for us all? Or will we have to bring our own?
Related Articles:
Tags: are computers eco friendly, are magazines eco, charity, create an eco friendly house, e-book, e-magazine, eco friendly appliance, eco friendly electronics, eco friendly home, Eco Friendly House, electronic, fsc certified, green appliance, green causes, green issues, green laptop, handheld devices, laptops, my favorite magazine, new magazines, online, paper magazine, recycled materials, recycled paper, recycled products, subscribe