Why Not “Clean Green Print” Your Next Print Run?

It doesn’t take much imagination or an insider’s knowledge to work out that printing can be tough on the environment. But as consumers, there’s much we can think about to reduce the environmental impact of that next print run.

To help, Melbourne printers, Print Bound have started cleangreenprint.com, an information service for consumers of commercial printing services to understand the impact of their printing choices.

According to their website, implementing a “clean green print” process takes more than choosing low emission inks and recycled papers:

It is identifying and implementing an environmental management system across all aspects of the printing process. This positive change will begin the process of environmental and energy accountability immediately.

Clean Green Print also encourage:

• Computer to plate (CTP) systems in prepress which eliminate photographic film and reduces developer, fixer, wash water, processing chemicals and cleaning solutions.
• Use of online proofing systems which is cost and time effective and reduces ink wastage
• Vegetable and soya based inks instead of petroleum based inks which significantly reduce the amount of ozone depleting compounds released into the air during printing.
• Disposal of hazardous waste chemicals through chemical treatment, stabilisation, controlled incineration chambers and recycling services
• Using peak power meters to measure power usage leading to the reduction of CO2 emissions
• Supporting green power from government-accredited suppliers
• Increasing natural lighting and implementing an energy efficient lighting plan
Recycling grey water plus the treatment of contaminant water

A huge guide with many more recommendations and a list of environmentally aware printing suppliers can be downloaded at the Clean Green Print website.