Jez Scott Environmental Printing Professional

SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT!

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The printing industry is one of the most polluting industries in the UK. So your choice of printer can have a huge impact on the environment. This should be a consideration when choosing a supplier.

1. Energy

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Fact: The print industry uses a significant amount of energy.

Many companies have been innovative in reducing their costs as well as environmental impact!

2. Water

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Fact: The process of printing requires ink and water, ink adhering to the porus surfaces of plates and water washing the rest away.

The use of this water can be greatly reduced by waterless printing or by digital printing.

Water recycling, sprinklers, pressure taps can also be used.

A small number of printing companies are even investing in the possibilities of rainwater harvesting.

3. Waste

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Fact: There are free audits and advice available via Environwise. There are financial as well as environmental incentives around and is a very straight forward issue.

4. Emissions

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Fact: 10% of the UK's VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) is believed to emanate from the printing industry. As ink dries, a colourless gas is emitted which is harmful to humans, and environment.

This can be reduced by a good operation and maintenance schedule. The alternative is to use vegetable based inks, using 60% vegetable oil instead of petroleum.

5. Paper

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Fact: The paper is really where you have your say! So what advantages does recycled paper have? there are 3 main reasons to use recycled fibre:

1. Reuses

It simply makes no sense to use paper only once, when it can be so easily re-used.

2. Reduce

Less landfill: Recycling reduces the amount of waste paper going to landfill. It is predicted that we will run out of landfill sites in the UK during the next decade. These will be replaced by incinerators, which have been proven to be more harmful to human health.

3. Recycle

No harm to forests. Only when using 100% recycled paper can you be absolutely sure that your product has not had a detrimental effect on any forest.

WARNING Definition of "Recycled"

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There are different definitions of the term "recycled" within the industry.

So it is important to check the exact fibre detail of a material.

It is quite normal, for example; A paper be called 'recycled' when only a small percentage of the fibre is actually recycled.

Ask your printer to provide you with the paper specifications to be 100% sure.

6. Other issues to consider

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Try to avoid metallic or fluorescent colours as they are mainly produced using petroleum based inks. These inks contain high levels of heavy metals which are hazardous to the environment and to pressroom workers. (Sun Chemicals have launched an Environmental metalic ink called) Metal-Eco

Make an environmental statement on all your materials. If 100% recycled is not your cup of tea. look into FSC papers (Forest Stewardship Council) an Eco Alternative to Recycled Paper. Publicise any of these steps you have taken, on your materials. Not only does this show that you take these issue seriously and what can be achieved. It helps to promote awareness and to educate. Advise your clients to use an environmental friendly printer!

Reducing the Environmental Impact of your Printed Materials.