Archived press release

Turning murdoch green

4 March 1998

Britain's press moguls face a major green challenge today, from a new Bill that will force an increase in the recycled content of newsprint. Campaigners say that the Bill could play a major role in preventing the newspaper industry from damaging forests and wildlife. It could also create 10,000 new jobs and cut Britain's import bill by £175 million [1].

The 'The Recycled Content of Newsprint Bill' (drafted by FOE, CRN and Waste Watch) will be presented in Parliament today by David Chaytor, MP for Bury North. It will require the recycled content of newspapers to be increased from 40% to 80% by 2010.

World demand for wood and paper has helped destroy over 95% of the old, wildlife-rich natural forest in Scandinavia. It has been replaced with intensively-managed wildlife-poor forest. In Sweden alone, forest destruction has led to more than 1,700 species of plant and animal being put at risk, including the White-backed Woodpecker and the Capercaillie. The last remnants of Scandinavian natural forest are still being destroyed and the loggers are now moving into Russia to satisfy the demand for more and more paper. The UK is the world's fifth largest consumer of paper, and our paper consumption is predicted to increase by two thirds between 1990 and 2010. Increasing the recycled content of newsprint will save more than the equivalent of 5 million trees every year.

To meet the targets in the Bill will require the recycling rate of newspapers and magazines to increase from about a quarter to a half or more. Norway and Sweden already recycle at a higher rate than this. The Bill will reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, which causes a third of all groundwater pollution and generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. It will also reduce the need for incineration, which causes up to £126 worth of health and environmental damage for every tonne of waste burnt.

David Chaytor MP said:

“The newspaper industry is gobbling up the Earth's forests at an alarming rate. The introduction of more and more newspaper supplements is making the problem worse.If we are to continue to enjoy the kind of newspapers we have got used to, action must to taken to increase the proportion of raw material to be of recycled origin.”


Mike Childs, Senior Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

“Every newspaper we buy today damages the environment, because of the way the paper is produced. Our Bill will help protect wildlife, create jobs and save millions of pounds. It is time that Mr Murdoch and the other super-rich media moguls were forced to take the environment more seriously. We hope that MPs from all parties will give overwhelming support to this Bill.”

Ray Georgeson, Executive Director of Waste Watch said:

“ Recent research conducted by NOP for Waste Watch indicated 96% acceptance of recycling as a waste disposal option, with 6 out of 7 householders without a kerbside recycling service being willing to use one if it were available. The Bill would strengthen and expand kerbside recycling in the UK - something the public clearly wants.”

Andy Moore, Coordinator of The Community Recycling Network said:

“ This Bill is based on solid research. We hope it will provide the sort of price and market stability we need to deliver waste management solutions at the appropriate level and which are truly sustainable. The job creation potential it will give us will be enormous.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Recycled Content of UK Newspaper, Report for Friends of the Earth, Waste Watch,Community Recycling Network, CAG Consultants (1998). Copies available from Friends of the Earth (020 7490 0237).

The UK newspaper industry currently uses 40% recycled newsprint - virtually all manufactured in the UK - and 60% virgin newsprint - mainly manufactured in Scandinavia and Canada. The Recycled Content of Newsprint Bill aims to increase the recycled content of newspapers to 80% by 2010, with interim targets of 65% by 2003 and 70% by 2006. The research commissioned during the drafting of the Recycled Content of Newsprint Bill suggests that:

• 65 % recycled content by 2003 will create 5,880 new jobs and reduce UK imports by £106 million.

• 70 % recycled content by 2006 will create 7,080 new jobs and reduce UK imports by £127 million.

• 80 % recycled content by 2010 will create 9,720 new jobs and reduce UK imports by £175 million.
  

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust