Green Printing - Carbon Neutral Printing
Introduction
Introduction
Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, it makes good economic sense to make the shift to carbon neutral printing. Why? With carbon being such a hot topic at the moment, being carbon neutral has benefits on the public perception of your company as a sustainable business. Furthermore, by reducing your consumption of energy, fuel and raw materials it can save you money.
Many commercial printing companies now offer carbon neutral printing but what does it really mean, and how do you ensure you're truly getting a carbon neutral service?
What are carbon emissions?
Virtually every item consumed by business and society is the result of an industrial process. These processes are energy dependent, and a by-product of energy creation is the generation of greenhouse gases, with carbon dioxide the most common. These gases are generically referred to as "carbon emissions". Carbon emission means the generation and subsequent release of these greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
What is the difference between "carbon reduction" and "carbon neutral"?
When a business undertakes to reduce its carbon emissions through changes to its production processes, investment in energy efficient machinery, reduction of raw material usage or through other actions, then it is undertaking "carbon reduction".
The term "carbon neutral" may sound similar, but it involves far more. Being carbon neutral means that you have effectively reduced your carbon emissions to zero. This is achieved through reduction of emissions by taking actions as mentioned above then offsetting the remainder through purchase of carbon offsets that fund carbon reduction schemes such as renewable energy generation projects.
Claiming to be carbon neutral needs to be backed up by accurate measurement and audit of the total emissions of the business, and there are carbon accounting standards and techniques established for this purpose.
How can I tell if a printer is carbon neutral?
With the increasing focus on carbon emissions and their impact on climate change, many businesses are now claiming to be carbon neutral. Rather than take those claims at face value, it's worth questioning what that means. Does the printer actively work to reduce their carbon emissions, or do they merely purchase carbon offsets for the emissions they generate?
Ask the printer what steps they have taken to reduce carbon emissions through reduction of energy and fuel usage, reduction and recycling of paper and other raw materials, and reduction or replacement of harmful chemicals used in the printing process.
It's also important the printer have a documented carbon management plan in place, and ideally, they be certified adherent to a recognised environmental management system, with ISO14001 being the most highly regarded international accreditation.
What about carbon neutral paper?
The carbon impact of the paper used in a print job represents about 70% of the total carbon emissions generated, with the remaining 30% coming from the manufacturing process and other raw materials.
Many paper manufacturers now offer papers labelled as 'carbon neutral'. What this means is that the carbon emissions generated during the production of the paper have been offset through the purchase of certified carbon offsets thus negating the impact of those emissions. What it doesn't tell you however is how sustainable the production of that paper actually is.
For that reason, if you wish to print as sustainably as possible, the best option is to choose carbon neutral paper that is also 100% post-consumer recycled. By not using forest-sourced timber pulp, a large proportion of the carbon emissions embodied in the paper production are avoided.
The next best option is to use carbon neutral paper certified by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes). This paper has been produced using sustainable practices and must come with Chain-of-Custody certification to guarantee its sustainable origins. If you also choose a FSC / PEFC certified printing company, you will have full assurance that every step in the paper and print production cycle is sustainable.
Summary
Claiming to be carbon neutral is easy - it's as simple as purchasing carbon offsets against the emissions created. Making a real difference - and being truly carbon neutral - involves hard work to reduce those emissions wherever possible then offsetting whatever emissions still remain.
Carbon neutral printing is an important goal for businesses and printing companies alike. As a print customer, make sure you choose a carbon neutral printer, but ask them for the details behind any carbon neutral claims they make. Printing companies that are not truly carbon neutral will soon come to realise the economic and environmental benefits to be had through moving towards carbon neutrality and the world will be a better place for it.
by: David Fuller
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