Süddeutsche Zeitung: ”We are often asked if the printed newspaper is a disgrace to the environment”

The green transition is a highly debated theme in the western part of the world. Citizens and politicians are doing a lot but not enough to turn the table. As a green initiative, the Germans are going out of their way to sort garbage but at the same time, they cling to traditional print newspapers. A survey from Reuters Institute in 2022 tells that 54 percent of the German population buys a physical newspaper at least once a week which gives them a second place globally. But the question remains; is Germany holding on to an ancient tradition, or is it important to retain an essential societal concept even if it does not benefit the planet?

According to Süddeutsche Zeitung’s Sales Consultant, Michael Stengl, is the answer clear; we should not scrap the printed newspaper.    

”There is quality in the printed word. The elderly are used to it and appreciate it” says Stengl. 

Of course, there are pros and cons to both the physical and digital newspapers. But at Süddeutsche Zeitung it is especially important to preserve the traditional newspaper in a time imprinted by fake news and unreliable sources. In the digital world, it is not only media houses that have influence but also private people and radical visionaries. This is exactly what Michael Stengl is concerned about in a platform such as TikTok.  

“If you are in that kind of digital bubble and are in touch with others there, you will get more and more of that kind of information. It could be completely fake news and it is simplified in a dangerous way, and people believe it. It will take time for us to compete with and it is hard work.” expresses Stengl.

Even though it is hard to compete with the digital market they still strive to do it, because they believe it is important for society. 

“We work very hard to get the younger generation to see the importance in the physical paper, but they prefer to get news digitally,” says Stengl. 

While it is hard to believe that the printed newspaper industry will become a positive factor in climate calculation, Süddeutsche Zeitung Printery has still done its green changes. Today, a minimum of 95 percent of newspapers are made from recycled paper. Excess paper goes into a waste pine and will be reused. Additionally, they have changed to ink that’s better for the environment and the printery is run by green energy.        

So, the resounding answer from Süddeutsche Zeitung is no. The physical newspaper is not a disgrace to the environment. They do what they can to make the industry greener, but according to them, the printed word has an important place in society.