The American Forest and Paper Association recently announced that in 2017, 65.8% of paper consumed in the US was recycled. “Paper recycling brings continued economic, environmental and social benefits to communities across the country,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.

Paper recovery for recycling helps extend the useful life of paper and paper-based packaging products, making it an integral part of the industry’s sustainability story. The industry has a goal to exceed 70 percent paper recovery for recycling by 2020 as part of its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability initiative.

U.S. paper recovery rate statistics are available Here .

Paper is an extremely valuable resource- especially to us at Priority Envelope. Through recycling programs and green initiatives we’re able give back and show our #prideforpaper ! #priorities #pushtheenvelope #gogreen #wednesdaywisdom

Despite the perception in the marketing industry that direct mail is less effective than digital channels, the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) found that direct mail’s response rates were 10-30 times higher than digital’s. Using transactional data from Bizo and Epsilon, the DMA analyzed more than 29 billion emails and 2 billion online display impressions to track consumer actions both immediately following a click and in the days and weeks after being exposed to an online ad.

They found consumers were more receptive to direct mail, and were overwhelmed by cluttered inboxes full of unsolicited emails. To read the study in full see below, and call Priority Envelope to make your direct mail project a reality today! #FridayFact #powerofpaper #priorities #pushtheenvelope

DMA: Direct Mail Response Rates Beat Digital

Results from an Epsilon Targeting survey performed in 2011 show that direct mail continues to serve as the channel of choice for receipt of marketing information in many categories. It was also deemed the most trusted. Businesses today agree that direct mail is a powerful channel to acquire and retain customers. That makes sense as direct mail is highly targeted with measurable results. The format is familiar and versatile. It’s cost effective and supports other marketing efforts of your company.

So…what are you waiting for? Call @priority_sales today to get started with your next #directmail campaign! #pushtheenvelope #priorities #thursdaythoughts

View the full Epsilon Targeting Study Below:

The Formula For Success : Preference and Trust Consumer Channel Preference Study

In a study published by the University of Stavanger in Norway, 72 10th-grade students of similar reading ability were asked to study some text. Half of the students read the text in paper, the other half digitally. The study found that students who read the text in print scored significantly higher in reading comprehension than those who read the text digitally. Again science shows how paper can be more impactful and memorable than digital. To read the full study see below. Just some #WednesdayWisdom from Priority Envelope ! #priorities #pushtheenvelope #power of print

Paper vs. Digital- The Effects on Reading Comprehension

The United States House of Representatives has reintroduced the postal reform bill it first introduced early last year. It is called the Postal Reform Act of 2018. The bill’s new number is HR 6076, and can be read in full through the below link:

H.R. 6076

It was introduced by Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC-11th) and cosponsored by Reps. Steve Russell (R-OK-6th), Dennis Ross (R-FL-15th), Elijah Cummings (D-MD-7th), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11th), and Stephen Lynch (D-MA-8th).

The bill requires the USPS to come up with a plan to manage its debt, taking into account “projected changes in mail volume, projected changes in the number of employees needed to carry out the responsibilities of the Postal Service, the long-term capital needs of the Postal Service, including the need to maintain, repair and replace facilities and equipment and the distinctions between market-dominant and competitive products.” The goal is to stabilize the USPS as an integral part of domestic and international supply chains.

It is unknown if this will move forward or if it will hold until the Presidential Task Force work is complete, but this is something that we at Priority Envelope are excited to see progress. Watch for updates from Congress as well from our website’s news page:

Priority Envelope News

Continually people seek to understand the effects various things have on humans, and often neurological studies are performed to try and better understand some of these. One thing which is very important to us here at Priority Envelope is paper, and we are always interested to learn about the impact that paper and digital media have on us.

In a study conducted by Bangor University and branding agency Millward Brown, fMRI scans were used to study the effects of paper and digital media. They found that paper is more “real” to the brain, and that it involves more emotional processing- a key to brand association. Also, it was found that physical matter, i.e. paper, is better connected to memory because it engages our spatial memory networks. Paper has a meaning and a place in our brains, and Priority Envelope is happy to help you create an envelope that will mean something to you and your audience.

To read the full study follow the below link:

Millward Brown: Case Study

World Environment Day occurs on the 5th of June every year, and is the United Nation’s principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment. First held in 1974, it has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime.

Since its’ inception in 1996, Priority Envelope has taken inspiration from the UN and prided itself on being an eco-friendly and innovative company. We continue to look for ways to be “greener” and enjoy learning about new ways to operate our business in a sustainable manner.

In 2017 alone, Priority Envelope recycled over 2,837.64 tons of paper. That number is huge especially when you consider that recycling 1 ton of paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy (enough to power the average U.S. home for six months), and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one metric ton of carbon equivalent.

We’ll continue to focus on novel ways to recycle and help our environment. Stay tuned for updates on what we do in 2018, and Happy World Environment Day from the team at Priority Envelope! #gogreen #priorities #pushtheenvelope

Did you know that direct mail tests better for brand recall over digital ads? See below for the full study, performed by Canadian neuromarketing firm TrueImpact, and do yourself a favor – choose Priority Envelope and you’ll have an envelope your customers will never forget. #priorities #pushtheenvelope #powerofprint

A Bias for Action- The neuroscience behind the response-driving power of direct mail

Temple University conducted a study using fMRI scans to determine the differences that digital and print have on the brain. Print activated the part of the brain most associated with desire. Feed your brain with print at Priority Envelope. #powerofprint #priorities #pushtheenvelope

To see the full study please see below:

Enhancing the Value of Mail: The Human Response

Contrary to popular thinking, going paperless does not save trees or forests. Let Priority Envelope help you avoid falling prey to companies who make unsubstantiated environmental claims about paper #priorities #pushtheenvelope #priorities #gogreenwithpaper

See below for the full link to an article explaining how one Fortune 500 company continues to ignore consumer preferences and use unsubstantiated ‘green’ marketing slogans about print and paper:

Comcast’s “EcoBill” is all about saving money, not trees!