Is the grass really “greener” on the digital side?

At first thought, most would provide no hesitation to answer in the affirmative to this question.  However, dig a little deeper and you may be surprised to find out that “digital” and “environmentally friendly” are not synonymous with one another.  While browsing through a catalog, book, or newspaper on your E-reader, you may even give yourself a pat on the back for not wasting paper by picking up the hard copy.  The truth is, whichever option you choose, there is going to be an ecological impact.

It is tough to compare the impact of print vs. digital, especially since we don’t have a sure-fire way to measure the carbon impact of paper use, let alone the environmental impact of E-readers, a much more recent trend.  Several manufacturers, with the exception of Apple, have yet to disclose the environmental information or carbon impact that these devices have.  In fact, depending on how much reading and browsing one does, you could be doing less damage by sticking to print.    

At the end of the day, whether you get your catalog in the mail, pick up a book at Barnes & Noble, or relax with a Kindle, it is inevitable that the environment is going to be effected.

• Tags:
• Ecological Impact
• Environmental Commitment
• Environmentally Friendly

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