Regardless of the industry in which a business is operating, conserving the environment is today a necessity for one to remain in business. Consumers are now more concerned about the environment and favor products originating from businesses that share the same concerns. The printing industry is one of the areas that has come under pressure to make changes. As an individual business, there are various ways of adopting sustainable digital printing.
Choosing the right type of ink is one of the major steps that can be undertaken. Traditional inks contain volatile organic compounds, VOCs, since they are derived from petroleum. In the presence of nitrogen and sunlight, these compounds react to form smog. Due to this effect, newer, vegetable-based inks that do not contain the VOCs are now available in the market.
Petroleum based inks are also known to have a significantly high amount of heavy metals. Examples include cadmium, nickel, chromium, mercury and selenium among others. These metals are known contaminants of soil and water when released through effluents. This is likely to occur if they are released in large quantities or there is prolonged use. Most vegetable based inks have very little of these metals if at all.
The choice of paper that is being used in the process should also be considered. Recycled paper should be the first choice for any firm that is conscious about the environment. Compared to virgin paper, using this type of paper is not only cheaper but also reduces the rate of deforestation. A more direct benefit to the environment is the fact that it requires less water to process which results in less effluent compared to virgin paper.
Recycling and reusing raw materials can be extended to involve other inputs other than paper. Water, a key component in the process of printing, is among the easiest to reuse. Studies have indicated that more than two thirds of the water being used in the first cycle can be reused in the second cycle. Ink and aluminum plates can also be reused in subsequent cycles.
The type of energy that is used in your firm needs to be scrutinized. Work progressively to reduce your reliance on hydropower and fossil-based fossils in favor of renewable sources of energy such as wind and power. As you do this, develop mechanisms to cut down on your consumption. Gradually replace inefficient printers with those that give you higher output for every unit of power used.
Sustainability can also be adopted in fabric printing. In the pretreatment stage, urea and other chemicals are used. When urea is broken down during the steaming stage, it releases carbon dioxide into the environment. Carbon-dioxide is a well-known greenhouse gas that can directly damage the ozone layer. Alternative methods that are free of urea are now commercially available in the market.
Using sustainable solutions in printing goes a long way into preserving our natural resources. To the individual firm, it is a way to participate in worthy cause and more importantly, it greatly helps in lowering operational costs. The reduced operational costs will be passed on to the consumer in the form of more affordable products. In the end, it is a win-win situation for everyone.
Choosing the right type of ink is one of the major steps that can be undertaken. Traditional inks contain volatile organic compounds, VOCs, since they are derived from petroleum. In the presence of nitrogen and sunlight, these compounds react to form smog. Due to this effect, newer, vegetable-based inks that do not contain the VOCs are now available in the market.
Petroleum based inks are also known to have a significantly high amount of heavy metals. Examples include cadmium, nickel, chromium, mercury and selenium among others. These metals are known contaminants of soil and water when released through effluents. This is likely to occur if they are released in large quantities or there is prolonged use. Most vegetable based inks have very little of these metals if at all.
The choice of paper that is being used in the process should also be considered. Recycled paper should be the first choice for any firm that is conscious about the environment. Compared to virgin paper, using this type of paper is not only cheaper but also reduces the rate of deforestation. A more direct benefit to the environment is the fact that it requires less water to process which results in less effluent compared to virgin paper.
Recycling and reusing raw materials can be extended to involve other inputs other than paper. Water, a key component in the process of printing, is among the easiest to reuse. Studies have indicated that more than two thirds of the water being used in the first cycle can be reused in the second cycle. Ink and aluminum plates can also be reused in subsequent cycles.
The type of energy that is used in your firm needs to be scrutinized. Work progressively to reduce your reliance on hydropower and fossil-based fossils in favor of renewable sources of energy such as wind and power. As you do this, develop mechanisms to cut down on your consumption. Gradually replace inefficient printers with those that give you higher output for every unit of power used.
Sustainability can also be adopted in fabric printing. In the pretreatment stage, urea and other chemicals are used. When urea is broken down during the steaming stage, it releases carbon dioxide into the environment. Carbon-dioxide is a well-known greenhouse gas that can directly damage the ozone layer. Alternative methods that are free of urea are now commercially available in the market.
Using sustainable solutions in printing goes a long way into preserving our natural resources. To the individual firm, it is a way to participate in worthy cause and more importantly, it greatly helps in lowering operational costs. The reduced operational costs will be passed on to the consumer in the form of more affordable products. In the end, it is a win-win situation for everyone.
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