subject: Eco Printing can tick your CSR boxes, but don't be caught out by the fast spin of Greenwash [print this page] Eco Printing can tick your CSR boxes, but don't be caught out by the fast spin of Greenwash
It is a fact that businesses simply cannot survive without printed matterin one form or another - be it business critical stationery, leaflets and flyers or just good old letterheads and business cards. But increased awareness of environmental issues coupled with the growinginquisitiveness of direct and indirect consumerstowards theCSR policy of a business can lead to the 'get rich quick' philosophy - oftentotry the first 'Eco Printer' that pops up or ask the incumbent printer to use recycled paper. Does this put a tick in the CSR box? Well, yes it does; but only a small tick.
Printing companies that offer eco-friendly print services can do much more than provide you with products for your latest marketing campaign or replenishment stock of your letterheads.Andwith no difference in the material quality or, more importantly, price, the argument for not using eco printing services does not hold water.
However, when searching for an eco printerit is easy tobecome blinded bythe greenwash thataccompanies printers' profiles. For many printers, thelow hanging fruit for achieving their publicised CSRis the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. A good certification to have, but on its own not deliveringeco friendly printing.
True eco printing is taken a step further with alcohol free presses, ISO14001, chemistry free plates and vegetable oil based inks - the adoption of all or any of thesemakes nodifference to the quality of the print or finish when compared to 'traditional' printing techniques but does give you many more ticks for your CSR boxes. Want to go fully eco? Browse the internet for eco-printing and see what pops up. A good browse through the website will show quite quickly if eco printing is a company-wide belief and policy, or greenwash lip service.
There are a growing number of eco-friendly printers who have adopted green practices because they believe in doing their bit towards helping the planet. To the coporates I would say 'go eco to save the plant, not to save face'.
