Is digital more eco-friendly than paper?

The digital transition away from paper is a matter of debate: the paper industry has an environmental impact (water, deforestation, CO₂), while digital technology, despite being intangible, also hides a heavy environmental footprint.

This raises an obvious question: is digital really more eco-friendly than paper?

The context of the digital transition and the environmental stakes

The dematerialization of media, driven by the rise of digital technology, is often presented as a way to reduce our environmental footprint. The use of physical media is declining in publishing, advertising and even financial transactions, in favor of digital alternatives. However, although digital technology is free from tangible raw materials like paper, it relies on a physical infrastructure: data centers, networks and electronic devices. This infrastructure requires precious resources to manufacture and maintain, and consumes a large amount of energy to run.

Digital: an eco-friendly answer or an illusion?

1. The carbon footprint of paper

The paper industry is one of the oldest and one of the most resource-intensive industries. Producing one tonne of paper requires around 24 trees and 60,000 liters of water, and generates 1.3 tonnes of CO₂. In addition, paper manufacturing and bleaching processes involve chemicals that are harmful to the environment.

However, major efforts have been made to make this industry more environmentally friendly. Paper recycling, for example, cuts the energy needed for production by 40% compared with making virgin paper. Paper is also a biodegradable and renewable material, which makes it an ally in certain environmental initiatives when it is managed responsibly.

2. The carbon footprint of digital technology

Although digital technology seems intangible, it relies on a heavy, energy-hungry infrastructure. The digital sector accounts for 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure comparable to that of civil aviation. Data centers, which are essential for storing and processing data, alone consume around 1% of global energy demand. Manufacturing electronic devices such as smartphones and computers requires rare metals, whose extraction has a disastrous impact on ecosystems and local populations.

Another key problem is planned obsolescence, which pushes consumers and businesses to replace their digital devices frequently, generating electronic waste. This waste, which is often poorly recycled, poses a major environmental and health threat.

3. Comparing the impacts: revealing key figures

On average, reading a 1 MB email is equivalent to 19 g of CO₂, while producing one A4 sheet emits around 10 g. Yet this direct comparison does not always take into account the entire life cycle of digital tools (manufacturing, use, recycling).

A report by ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition) showed that reading newspapers online for 30 minutes a day on a smartphone for one year emits as much CO₂ as producing and recycling 10 copies of a print newspaper over the same period. This figure challenges the perception that digital is always "greener".

4. What can be done to make digital more sustainable?

Digital technology does, however, have room for improvement. For example, some data centers are starting to use renewable energy and optimize their cooling systems. Electronic devices are also becoming more modular and repairable to extend their lifespan.

In addition, simple practices such as cutting down on unnecessary emails, reducing cloud storage, IT equipment leasing or buying refurbished devices help to limit the individual carbon footprint of digital use.

To find out more, read our article on practices for being a responsible digital citizen.

Complementarity worth considering

There is no simple answer to the question of whether digital is more eco-friendly than paper. Each solution has its advantages and drawbacks, and the choice often depends on the context of use. Paper can be more eco-friendly when it is recycled and used responsibly. Digital, for its part, can reduce certain emissions, but only if significant efforts are made to make its entire life cycle more sustainable.

Ultimately, it is the way we use these tools that makes the difference. A reasoned use of both paper and digital is essential to minimize our environmental footprint.

Leasetic, your partner for sustainable IT management

Leasetic is committed to providing responsible and ethical IT management. We help companies reduce the environmental footprint of their technology while aligning their IT objectives with their environmental commitments. Our approach covers the entire equipment life cycle, from selection and maintenance to renewal, with a responsible mindset. Convinced that a transition to green IT is necessary, we support you through this transformation, optimizing your infrastructure while protecting the environment.

Contact one of our experts today to find out more.

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