Matt Bain

In response to Victor Luca’s letter in last Friday’s Beacon.

Like many others, I prefer to read a physical copy of the newspaper. It’s not because I don’t know how to access the electronic version; it’s because I genuinely enjoy the break from the screen.

I spend most of my workday in front of one, and I believe it’s beneficial for our mental and physical health to step away.

Once the physical copy ceases printing, it is unlikely to ever return.

Regarding the sustainability aspect, newspapers also get a second life: they are widely reused for packaging, fire lighting, and other practical purposes.

Pulp and paper, plus forestry, are vital industries in this region. They have been a backbone of our local economy.

I personally worked as a graduate engineer at Norske Skog in 2008. It was a great place to work – I learned a lot, and it set up my career.

I was saddened to hear of the inevitable closure in 2021, knowing that the newsprint I’m reading is now imported rather than made here locally.

If Philip Jacobs wants to deliver the paper to the folks out in Murupara, good on him. It’s deeds like this that truly make this a great community.