3D Distributions, which has been distributing promotional and informative mail all over Malta and Gozo for the past 15 years, has just launched its ‘Environment First’ campaign. As 3D is carrying out a full-scale locality updating exercise by quantifying the number of households and businesses in the Maltese islands, it decided to concentrate on identifying vacant properties, of which there are tens of thousands. This would enable 3D to reduce the number of flyers, brochures and magazines supplied by its clients for distribution by limiting them only to occupied premises.

According to official sources, vacant properties make up well over 30 per cent of the total, and the figure is still rising. 3D’s efforts to ensure that its distribution coverage excludes vacant properties will result in the conservation of printing materials, especially paper.

This will also reduce littering caused by printed material left in vacant properties. Publishers, public and private organisations will also save on their printing costs by avoiding unnecessary wastage of their material, while also safeguarding the environment since less ink and paper would be used.