subject: Printing Safe for the Environment [print this page] We use printers and copiers all the timeWe use printers and copiers all the time. Reports are printed for work and school. Our presentation materials at work are reproduced endlessly. It's no wonder that Americans use approximately 31.5 million tons of printing and writing paper each year, an amount requiring over 535 million trees and more than 12 billion gallons of oil to produce. More paper products are now recovered than sent to landfills in the US, yet 65 percent of used printing and writing paper still ends up in the waste stream.
Simple changes in our paper use and purchasing practices can help limit the depletion of forests and loss of habitat, reduce pollution and decrease the stress on our landfills. To this end, Green Seal greenseal org recommends papers with at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled content and the use of chlorine-free production methods. Any pre-consumer or virgin fibers used in the recycled content paper must not be bleached with chlorine. Several companies are using chlorine derivatives, such as chlorine dioxide, in place of elemental chlorine, which is acceptable given sufficient post-consumer recycled content. Green Seal also recommends some papers made with 100 percent virgin tree pulp, if processed completely without chlorine or its derivatives. Green Seal encourages both the increased use of post-consumer recycled fibers and the elimination of chlorine usage. Purchasing products that are chlorine-free and include post-consumer fibers will reduce the strain on natural resources, promote resource conservation and waste reduction, and minimize toxic emissions.
The inks that we use to print can also be made more sustainable. Up until recently, ink for printing has been petroleum-based. Petroleum is a pollutant and a nonrenewable resource. Petroleum-based inks release VOCs. VOCs reduce indoor air quality and can have negative short and long term health effects. Fortunately, an environmentally responsible alternative is available. Soy inks, which are derived from soy beans, were originally developed for use in newspaper presses, but their use has spread to the printing of other items, such as your business cards, marketing material, and product catalogs. Here are a few facts about soy ink:
Soy inks are sustainable. They come from a renewable resource, unlike petroleum. Soy grows rapidly, so it can meet our demands.
Soy inks are more environmentally friendly. Some actually release zero VOCs.
Paper printed with soy inks can be deinked more easily, making it easier to recycle.
Spot colors are available, so you can still get the exact color you need.
You actually get colors that are brighter, more vivid, and can look more three-dimensional. Printing can be made greener with those adjustments. There are also ENERGY STAR http://www.energystar.gov/ certified products that can be used in place of regular printers. These use less resources and can save money in the long term. Printing is an easy way to be green.
