This may be the most important story ever written in this magazine—to us anyway, and hopefully you too. Two years after becoming a paperless magazine, people still ask why we did it. Well, it’s time we break radio silence about the real reason we went 100% digital—truth is, we just couldn’t look ourselves in the mirror any longer. We loved the print 573 Magazine—the feel, the stunning images, the smell...
We had to be the community leader that 573 Magazine claims to be...
Now, don’t get me wrong, we know trees are a sustainable commodity for the most part, but the byproducts created in making paper, shipping paper, and the printing process are extremely taxing on the environment. There was simply no way we could convince ourselves otherwise. We had to be the community leader that 573 Magazine claims to be—we had to make the hard choice to stop printing the magazine. It was a very difficult choice at the time; we knew people loved the print version of the 573 Magazine—we did, and it hurt, but we knew it was the best thing for our grandkids and the earth in general.
People. Places. Passions. That is 573 Magazine.
We knew people loved the print version of the 573 Magazine and we loved making it.
The first year was tough, but when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and in no time at all we had our readership and ad base up to where it was before going paperless. It took long hours and uncomfortable decisions, but here we are with a clear heart.
WHY WE TOOK THE STEPS WE TOOK—very simple.
The toxic chemicals used in printing, like chlorine, to break down the pulp and to bleach the paper never go away. The byproducts are super harmful. Sulfur and nitrogen oxides are also released into the air, which causes respiratory issues in humans and animals. Paper mills require a lot of fresh water. Once the water has been used, the now dirty water is poured back into our rivers and our oceans—this is why most paper mills have been closed down in the U.S.A. and moved to unregulated regions like China and India.
This 573Magazine.com Story is sponsored in part by WorkSPACE co-working space in Farmington, Missouri.
As bad as the paper-making process is, it is paled in comparison to the actual printing on the paper process. The chemicals and material waste used in maintaining and distributing newspapers and magazines is unfathomable and simply too depressing to discuss here. Yes, paper can be recycled, but the chemicals used in printing and distribution are not.
We love our beautiful 573 trees and water...
We miss the printed magazine but are so glad we stepped up and went paperless. We would be hypocrites claiming we care about the beauty of the 573 and the health and welfare of the people who live here if we did not take the lead, no matter how hard and costly it was to us personally. We love our beautiful trees and crystal clear waters in the 573. We did what was right and turned the page. We never looked back.
We did what was right and turned the page.
Get Out There! Dig in your heels, and do your part. Dig your claws in and pull yourself out of that sunken sofa. Do something. Do anything. Just get out there and start moving; I command you.
Supreme Leader 573 Magazine - t. smugala
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