Environment

Review 2009 - Click to read   

2008: Review - Click to read

Code of Practice for the Press Industry

These are historic and significant times for retailers, wholesalers and publishers of newspapers and magazines following the agreement of two very important protocols. The new Code of Practice for the Press Industry (COPPI) and a new set of Environment Standards for the Press Industry (ESPI) were agreed following a lenghty period of consultation across ten industry associations who came together as a joint industry committee. Its members are:

• Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association (CSNA)
• EM News Distribution Ltd
• Magazines Ireland
• Newspread Ltd
• The National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN)
• National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI)
• The Newspaper Publishers Association (NPA)
• The Periodical Publishers Association (PPA)
• The Retail Grocery Dairy & Allied Trades Association (RGDATA)
• Regional Newspapers & Printers Association of Ireland (RNPAI)

COPPI are designed to bring greater consistency to our industry, particularly in relation to the supply chain. It will also reinforce the highest possible standards of customer service, by ensuring that all our customers have the optimum access to our newspapers and magazines.

The new ESPI are designed to promote the efficient and consistent management of the environmental issues that affect the press industry. These standards will also help to ensure the continued free flow of information in this country; essential to the health of our democracy.

Click here to download the COPPI Booklet
Click here to download the ESPI Booklet

Newspapers and the environment

The past decade has seen Ireland adopt a new attitude towards waste management.

In every walk of life it is now acknowledged that, for the sake of future generations, we must think and act in an environmentally friendly way.

Recycling is central to the environmental revolution.

And in a country that has one of the highest newspaper readership rates in the world (19 out of 20 Irish adults read a newspaper every week), newsprint is an important part of the recycling chain.

National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) has a vital role to play in this.

An industry approach

In 2001, NNI helped to set up a joint newspaper industry taskforce to address the recycling issue.

The taskforce quickly brought about a change in attitudes and work practices in the newspaper industry. Publishers, wholesale distributors and retailers embraced a culture of waste minimisation. The phrase ‘Reduce, Re-use and Recycle’ became part of the newspaper philosophy.

By encouraging publishers to use more recycled newsprint, the taskforce also helped to create a vibrant, sustainable market for ‘recovered’ paper.

Recycling old newspapers

Newsprint is already one of our best-managed raw materials.

More than 73% of all newsprint placed in the Republic of Ireland market was recycled in 2007. That is 45% more than was recycled in 2002: a big increase in just five years.

Despite this, the industry is still trying to improve.

The sustainable recovery of old newspapers (ONP) is now a priority. It is internationally recognised that using newsprint with recycled fibre content is both environmentally sustainable and acceptable to the consumer.

Using newspaper fibres creates a demand for ONP and helps to close the recycling ‘loop’.

In 2007, recycled newsprint accounted for 52% of Irish newspapers. In international terms, this figure is regarded as satisfactory – however NNI will be encouraging its members to use more and more recycled newsprint.

Waste prevention

In any waste management system, preventing waste is just as important as recycling it.

By carefully managing the system by which ONP are collected, processed and recycled there is an opportunity to reduce the amount of old newsprint that goes into landfill.

This is vital, as targets have been set to reduce the proportion of biodegradable municipal waste that can be landfilled. By 2010, Ireland will only be allowed to landfill 75% of the total weight of biodegradable municipal waste that was landfilled in 1995.

A culture change

In addition to the steps already being taken by the newspaper industry, there is also an educational challenge. Recycling requires cooperation between organisations and individuals; it cannot work otherwise. Newspapers can help to bring about this culture change through public information campaigns, free advertising and other promotions.

Who’s responsible?

Of course, it’s not all about the publishers.

There are many links in the ‘paper chain’, from the producers of newsprint to the newspaper publishers, from distributors to retailers, local authorities to collector,s and of course the consumer for whom the daily newspaper is an essential part of life.

Everyone has a part to play.

What newspaper publishers are doing

1. Making change happen: In January 2007 NNI appointed the industry’s first Environmental Officer. This reflects a willingness to invest in the environment and a determination to maximise the amount of newsprint that gets recycled. Top priorities include the establishment of a national press industry environment bureau and the development of an effective Producer Responsibility Initiative for the industry.
2. Buying recycled newsprint: By buying recycled newsprint (currently more than 52% and rising), Irish publishers ensure that there is a constant demand for recovered paper. Thus gives waste paper a commercial value, making it a sustainable market.
3. Cutting down on waste: Large scale investment in new printing technology has enabled newspaper publishers to minimise and recycle production waste (e.g. ‘trimmings’, end of reels, less ink intake etc). Since 2000 publishers have spent over €200 million on new systems and technology, and most printing plants have introduced measures that conserve water and power, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
4. Recycling old newspapers: At present, more than 65% of unsold newspapers are recycled. The industry, in conjunction with distributors, is developing a plan to collect unsold newspapers at retail level. This will be a huge benefit to retailers and should ensure that the supply chain for newspapers becomes more efficient... thus reducing the carbon footprint.
5. Changing minds: Through advertising and editorial space, newspapers are in a unique position to encourage consumers to be responsible and recycle their own newspapers. The industry also intends to promote best practice and public awareness through a dedicated website. The website will be aimed at consumers, students and teachers, and can be used as an education resource. View some of the latest press ad campaigns from the NNI with the links below.

NNI Environment Advertising Campaigns

Click on the links below to see the NNI environment adverts which ran across NNI titles in 2009

Ad 1
Ad 2
Ad 3
Ad 4

Click on the links below to see the NNI environment adverts which ran across NNI titles in 2008

More Newsprint, Less Footprint.
Wanted: Old News
Today’s news. Tomorrow’s good news.
Chances of this paper being recycled?