Deon Joubert and Zama Zulu from Two Sides South Africa hosted Country managers Martyn Eustace (UK and Europe), Phil Riebel (USA) and Fabio Mortara (Brazil) at The Country Club Johannesburg on 6 October 2014. Paarl Media sponsored this event that brought together Two Sides representatives and role players in the paper and print value chain from the local print industry.
The discussion was focussed on how Two Sides South Africa can explode the myths and set out the facts about print media’s environmental sustainability in a clear and concise way. Two Sides informs paper users everywhere that print and paper is an attractive and sustainable means of communication, with active campaigns in Europe, US, Australia, Brazil and Columbia. Attendees also looked at ways in which Two Sides may be used, as an independent platform to benefit members in the print, paper and fibre based packaging industry.
Anti-print and paper messages still surround our industry. Two Sides recognises that the industry has a responsibility to continually improve its environment. Some of the larger corporates including banks and cellphone providers use messaging that sending electronic statements is more reliable and environmentally friendly. This may be cheaper and more reliable, but it is not necessarily environmentally friendly. Print and paper have proven benefits for learning, literacy and record-keeping.
Zama Zulu recently joined the Two Sides South Africa team as marketing manager with her first major project being launching the South African website which you can visit at www.za.twosides.info.
The Myths and Facts booklet is nearly ready for publication and the first batch of anti-greenwashing letters have been sent to the corporates claiming to send out electronic statements as it is environmentally friendly. Next on the agenda will be to set up a steering committee and research our industry and the public’s perceptions of paper and print.
