Background

Why is there a need for Two Sides?

In recent years, the wider business community has evolved. It has developed an increased awareness of corporate responsibility issues and assumed its share of responsibility and accountability for maintaining standards of ethical, social and environmental performance.

The developing awareness of the industry has grown in step with an increase in communities’ and society’s expectations across all sectors.

Two Sides recognises that the industry has a responsibility to continually improve its environmental credentials and address customer concerns, which are often the result of misleading or inaccurate information.

Two Sides was formed after consultation with key partners, primarily the large organisations within the supply chain, and also after conducting market surveys to assess options about the industry’s sustainability image. A study was conducted by the National Association of Paper Merchants (NAPM) in June 2008, who contacted c. 8000 media buyers. The responses can be found on the Two Sides website; www.twosides.info

The ‘Two Sides initiative will set out the facts in a clear and straightforward manner; addressing some of the inaccuracies and issues that surround the industry. There is an appetite by those working within the Graphic Communications Supply Channel to understand all the environmental issues and thus make more informed decisions about the use of paper and print products.

Paper and print have been the preferred communication medium for over 2000 years. Two Sides seeks to ensure that, by fostering a better understanding of our industry’s environmental credentials, paper and print through its myriad of uses from commercial applications to the basis of learning and creativity, remains the essential communication medium of choice.