Complete Story
10/07/2026
What the Data Really Says About Paper, Mail and the Environment
Source: Two Sides North America, September 9, 2026
Is paper really bad for the environment? New consumer research shows a significant gap between public perception and the facts. Two Sides North America examines five common misconceptions about paper, from deforestation and water use to recycling and the assumption that digital communication is always the greener choice. For printers and mailers, understanding the facts can help you have better conversations with customers about the true environmental footprint of print.
Two Sides points to its 2025 Trend Tracker research showing that 55% of U.S. consumers believe U.S. forests are shrinking, while only 15% correctly recognize that more than 60% of paper and paper-based packaging is recycled in the United States. The article explores the data behind these perceptions and why correcting them matters to organizations producing transactional mail, direct mail and other printed communications.
