The study, which was done in the technical university of Stockholm (Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan) compared the environmental impact of printed newspaper, web based newspaper and electronic paper, or e-paper. As to the web based newspaper alternatives with reading time of ten and 30 minutes were studied.

Since the environmental impact largely depends on the production methods of the electricity and the waste management system, the impact was studied in two geographical areas. The results are, however a rough estimate and there are many factors affecting them.

With a “European” mix of electricity and waste management the largest environmental impact was that of the web based newspaper with 30 minutes reading time. The next was newspaper. E-paper and web based newspaper with ten minutes reading time had roughly the same impact.

The result was not the same in Sweden, where printed newspaper had the largest impact, although the web based newspaper with 30 minutes reading time came close to that. Web based newspaper with ten minutes reading time was the best; its impact was only half of that of e-paper.

However, all products had a smaller impact in Sweden than in “Europe”. This is obviously because Sweden produces much of its energy with hydropower while coal is an important energy source in Central Europe.

Only printed newspaper’s life
cycle could be totally assessed
The aim of the study was to assess the environmental impact of the whole life cycle of the products. As a target there were impacts on global warming, acidification, nutrification, ozone layer, ozone formation in the lower atmosphere, toxicological impact and resource use.

On the other hand, measuring for example impacts on biodiversity were not a target of the study. The aim was also to find out the gaps in knowledge concerning the questions studied.

There was a lack of information identified especially concerning e-paper. As a matter of fact, it could not be assessed at all on a satisfactory level.

For example, the e-paper device could be assessed only by assuming that its component mix is the same as with motherboard of a personal computer. Furthermore, the environmental impact of e-paper’s screen could not be assessed at all. Also the disposal of the device was assessed only to some extent.

On the other hand, due to the long production history, the impacts of newspaper could be assessed to the final end of the life cycle.

E-paper’s good performance was not a surprise. It of course is clear that it does not consume much electricity. Also the impact of its distribution is small since the content of e-paper can be downloaded from the web.

Worst impact varies from print to reading
In regard to each product, the impact of the labour of the journalistic staff was taken into account – with the exception of the work done outside the office. As to the newspaper, the manufacturing of the paper, printing plates and ink, as well as all transport, distribution and end disposal were taken into account.

As to the web based newspaper the largest impact was created in connection with loading and reading the content. Also the disposal of the computer and the screen were taken into account, but only to a certain extent.

The largest impact of newspaper was created in print, while the largest impact of web based newspaper was created by the energy used in reading the paper, and e-paper’s largest impact was created in manufacturing the device. Also the distribution of the printed newspaper had a large impact, but not dominant for the results.

There is still a lot to research
The researchers had to set many, possibly crucial things aside. One of them was the fact that it is not only possible but often a purpose that a newspaper is read at least twice, maybe even more.

If the environmental impact was calculated per service, concerning printed newspaper it drops with 50 percent if the paper is read twice, which is not the case with web based newspaper. Its largest environmental impact is due to the electricity consumption while reading the paper.

On the other hand, one can use the computer for many other purposes, too, although not very effectively at the time of reading the paper.

Additional information is needed also concerning the environmental impact of recycling of electronic waste, and the impacts of hazardous chemical emissions.

By Hannes Mäntyranta



Environmental impact of different publishing methods in Sweden 24,51 Kb
Environmental impact of different publishing methods in Europe 24,28 Kb
Research publication