With an increased concern about the environment and carbon emissions, an area that is sometimes overlooked it printing. Most businesses require some printing to run an efficient and profitable outfit, i.e. business cards, marketing brochures, mail-outs, etc. What many businesses aren’t fully aware of is the environmental impact of doing business and options that can help diminish their business’ carbon footprint.
Surprisingly to many, the printing industry is the world’s largest air polluter and the third-largest consumer of fossil fuels behind the automobile and steel manufacturers. Most of the printing currently has a tremendous and negative impact on the environment. The most obvious being deforestation, but there is also the leaking of carcinogens into groundwater, contaminating soil, the typical daily use of trillions of gallons of water and the generation of solid waste.
Many businesses, both for environmental and cost-effective reasons, have begun using online marketing. However, this is not completely plausible for all businesses, particularly in Mexico where the Internet is not as wide-spread (though it is growing exponentially) as in Canada and the United States.
Businesses can use their significant clout to change the materials and methods that the printing industry employs. Here are some recommendations:
• Use 100% recycled paper. The effect of producing one ton of virgin uncoated paper (approximately 90% of North America’s printing and writing paper) requires three tons of wood, 19,705 gallons of water and 2,278 pounds of solid waste.
• Use soy-based or vegetable-based inks. Though slower to dry than many inks, these environmentally-friendly inks often provide more vibrant colors and make it simpler to recycle paper.
• Use printers who use renewable energy sources and green technology. By insisting on green printing alternatives, customers can exercise conscientious buying and, in turn, could motivate your printer to look into green printing technologies.
• Switch to one or two color designs. This will reduce the amount of inks you use.
• In packaging, avoid unrecyclable materials such as bindings, adhesives and foil stamps.
Some steps are smaller than others, but the cumulative effect of changing the methods and materials we use in printing is enormous.
Michelle Mayer is blogger at Mijo! Brands in Mexico.
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