The Environmental Impact of Leaflets & Paper Ads

Digital marketing and online weekly ads can replace leaflets and posters as a more effective and environmentally friendly way to advertise products. It is reported that over 80 million tons of paper gets wasted in America each year. So, isn’t it time that grocery stores and other retailers chose online weekly ads instead of paper marketing?

How Much Paper Do We Waste?

Paper – it feels nice when we get hold of it in a new book or see it made all glossy in the window of a store. But it is massively damaging our environment during its whole life cycle. To make paper we need to cut down trees and then burn them, which produces carbon dioxide. If we don’t recycle the paper it goes on to rot and emits a damaging greenhouse gas, namely Methane. Overall, paper may not be as harmful as plastics, but that doesn’t stop it being bad for the planet.

Despite this and despite a shift towards online marketing, we are still using and wasting colossal amounts of paper on leaflets and paper ads. In fact, the University of Southern Indiana states that on average, every American uses seven trees worth of paper products each year, most of it unnecessary.

The Better Way Retailers Can Advertise

There are lots of ways you can advertise online. But those selling products and groceries have developed an innovative method to simply move their leaflets online, keeping their informative content and coupons while making them always accessible and environmentally friendly. You can find some excellent examples on Kimbino.com or Offermate.us, a platform packed with online weekly ads and leaflets in digital format. They store digitalized leaflets so buyers can easily find deals and decide where to shop next.

Grocery stores that use these digitalized leaflets are doing their bit for the environment and experiencing multiple benefits – as well as their customers.

Do We Still Need Leaflets and Paper Ads?

Most businesses have moved away from physical advertising materials and rely on online campaigns such as social media advertising or PPC advertising. But not everyone has done because there are some things that leaflets can offer, such as the ability to keep advertising during the leaflet’s life cycle.

However, the benefits of leaflets and paper adverts are outweighed by the more targeted adverts that digital marketers can make and release. It could be argued that most businesses don’t need paper adverts any more, especially considering the amount of waste it can produce and damage being caused.

The Benefits of Not Using Paper Leaflets

Using digital leaflets is good for the planet but also good for business. It enables retailers to:

• Create an environmental brand that younger buyers and millennials value. It is well documented that younger buyers are more interested in environmental causes and sustainable living.
• Keep their customers up to date easily
• Cuts marketing and printing costs
• Enables stores to provide exclusive discounts and vouchers online
• Drive interest in certain products or at specific periods in the year

With so much paper already being wasted, it is time for businesses to tap into digital circulars and online weekly ads. They can save money, help the environment and create a better brand at the same time!