Sustainable Printing Initiatives
The population is becoming more environmentally aware every year. We look for better processes within our business operations to lower our carbon footprint and promote a planet first attitude. Implementing green printing methods reduces environmental impact, saves energy, minimises waste and supports responsible resource use, protecting the planet for future generations.
What Is Sustainable Printing?
Sustainable printing focuses on reducing environmental impact through various eco-friendly practices. Key aspects include using recycled or FSC-certified paper, which ensures the paper is sourced from responsibly managed forests. Inks with lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions are preferable as they reduce the release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere and, when used to print cardboard packaging, make it easy to recycle. Implementing a print-on-demand strategy avoids overproduction and reduces waste, whilst proper disposal and recycling of printing materials, along with simple green practices like duplex printing and minimising print runs, further contribute to sustainability.
The Key Principles of Eco-Friendly Printing
Achieve printing sustainability by implementing the following practices into your workplace and encouraging all green printing methods.
1. Use of Recycled and FSC-Certified Paper
Request that your printer sources paper products that are recycled or certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to ensure it is coming from properly managed forests and encourage double-sided printing whenever possible to reduce paper consumption.
2. Eco-Friendly Inks
Inks with lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions are preferable as they reduce the release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere and, when used to print cardboard packaging, make it easy to recycle.
3. Alternative materials
Using eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials can have a big impact. There are many more environmental substrates in the market but some we like to use include PALBOARD, which eliminates more CO₂ than it produces, and PVC free Foamex which has a reduced environmental impact and is more easily recyclable.
4. Modular systems
Exhibition stands traditionally create a lot of waste. A study conducted by Ecobooth found that 100,000 tonnes of waste were burnt or sent to landfills from the UK events industry in just one year. Using a modular system, such as the Tecna T3, means you can reuse your stand again and again, even flexing it to fit different spaces.
5. Print-On-Demand
Producing materials only when needed prevents overproduction and minimises waste of inks, paper and energy consumption. Whilst utilising digital printing for small, precise print runs will minimise cost as well, making it one of the best sustainable printing concepts.
6. Green Office Practices
Promote electronic document sharing to reduce the need for printing, invest in energy-efficient printers, optimise your printer settings for lower energy use, establish a recycling program for paper and printing materials and encourage the use of recycled cartridge and office equipment.
The Effects of Environmental Printing Practices
Environmental printing practices positively impact the planet by reducing deforestation using recycled and FSC-certified paper, conserving forests and decreasing the need for virgin wood. They lower emissions by emitting fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), thus improving air quality. Energy-efficient printing processes, as outlined above, consume less energy, reducing carbon footprints and print-on-demand strategies minimise waste by producing materials only as needed. Enhanced recycling efforts, such as recycling paper and cartridges, reduce landfill waste and support sustainable practices.
Choosing an Environmentally Conscious Printing Company
At Inspired Print Solutions, we believe it is our duty to conserve our planet and pride ourselves on using sustainable printing practices wherever possible without compromising on quality. With over 40 years of experience, we have seen many innovations and developments within the industry and have kept ourselves up to date with best practice and best process, so you can be sure you your print work will be of the highest quality at the least cost to the environment. Get in touch to discover how together we can make your operation greener and the world a better place.
