Telenor's input consists of many different raw materials. Paper for the production of telephone directories is an example. Production of telephone directories requires considerable amounts of paper. Telenor's aim is to reduce the consumption of paper while Telenor Media is working on adapting the production and the types of directory to the subscribers' requirements.
Different forms of telephone directory
The aim is that the customer will in future be able to choose how many directories he wishes to receive and in what form these shall be, for example:
- Printed telephone directory
- Directory on the Internet
- Directory on CD ROM
The use of directories on CD ROM is increasing and in 2000 a total of 16 500 subscribers received the directory for 2001 in this format.
52 800 trees
In 2000, 13 200 tonnes of paper were used in production of the telephone directories. Approximately 52 800 trees are needed to produce this amount of paper. About 25% of the paper volume used in the directories is obtained by recycling paper.
Directories are delivered to Norske Skog in Skogn for recycling. In the course of 2000, a constructive dialogue took place between Norske Skog and Telenor Media with the aim of finding solutions for the most efficient recycling. This co-operation will continue in 2001. In the future, only white paper will be used in the directories, not yellow or pink, and the covers will consist of 100% recycled milk cartons.
Other measures have also been implemented to reduce the environmental impacts connected with the production of telephone directories. In general the amount of printer's ink used is smaller because the directories are printed using a heatset process. The ink dries on the surface of the paper and is not absorbed so deeply. This is also positive in connection with recycling.
From the point of view of resource use, it is important to reduce the number of telephone directories which are produced and distributed. The number of directories is gradually being reduced as the customer's requirements are satisfied. Increased availability of the telephone directory on the Internet will in future reduce the need for printed directories, which is also a good example of how ICT can contribute to environmental improvements.
Environmental indicator - paper consumption in telephone directories
| Year |
Amount of paper
tonnes |
Amount of paper compared with |
| Telephone directories |
Local directories "Ditt Distrikt" |
turnover
tonnes per million NOK |
subscriber
kg per unit |
| 2000 |
12 000 |
1 200 |
0.42 |
3.3 |
