Pixels vs Paper: 2010 Census Forms
By Gail Nickel-Kailing on July 28th, 2009
The 2010 Census forms are in production and bloggers across the country are already questioning whether the forms are “green enough.”
In the Bureau’s announcement released July 23, Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves said:
“The Census Bureau has gone to great lengths to make the printing process as efficient and eco-friendly as possible. The printing of 2010 Census questionnaires uses 30 percent less ink than 10 years ago and will be printed on 30 percent recycled paper.”
In reply, TreeHugger.com came back with a piece titled, “US Census Prints Eco-friendly(ish) Forms.” Author Roberta Cruger is pushing for an online version:
“Okay, now in another decade maybe the government will use vegetable-based ink and 100% PCW recycled paper, plus other green printing processes. Or do you think there will be an online version to eliminate or reduce paper altogether in 2020?”
I agree that all environmentally sensitive printing processes should be used for a project of this magnitude; however I do question whether this form should be online only. While Internet adoption is topping 80% of American households, that still leaves a lot of people unconnected. (If you want to learn more about Internet adoption and usage, visit the Pew Internet and American Life Project.)
The census groups that would most likely be overlooked and left out are groups like the elderly, non-English speakers, and the homeless. Those are the very groups that need to be included because they are the groups that are more likely to need support and assistance.
If we don’t “hear their voices” we’ll never know what needs to be done. Let’s hope that by 2020 a two-tier or two-channel system is implemented to collect the data both digitally and in print so we don’t miss out on those “off-line” citizens.
2 Responses to “Pixels vs Paper: 2010 Census Forms”
By Melanie Turner on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
I agree completely. While there are a lot of people out there envisioning a completely paperless society, we are still a long way off for that.
By Joanne on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Has there been an independent study (not funded by the printing/paper industries or the digital industries) that compares the carbon footprint of online v. offline marketing, etc. It would be informative to see oneby an organization not vested in the results.