National Geographic magazine recently decided to determine the carbon footprint of their printed magazine. Typically, the paper industry has developed carbon footprints estimates based on manufacturing process data and with a focus on CO2 emissions. In this case, National Geographic was interested in knowing the broader marketplace picture involving contributions from the planting and harvesting of trees, paper manufacture and printing, and magazine delivery and final disposal.
Below is the article excerpt that reports the findings.
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“The results of Verso’s portion of the study showed that to produce the paper for one National Geographic magazine weighing 12.3 ounces, 1.27 pounds of CO2 equivalents are emitted. When factoring in the printing, distribution, packaging and all other National Geographic activities associated with the development of the magazine, a total of 1.82 pounds of CO2 equivalents are emitted. To put this into perspective, the same amount of CO2 equivalents are emitted by consumers when driving just under 2 miles in a standard automobile with a 20 MPG rating.”
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