SustainPrint
The print media industry has a responsibility to lessen its environmental impact. Fortunately, rapidly developing green technology allows publishers to use renewable resources, limit greenhouse emissions and eliminate steps of the publishing process altogether.
We at SustainPrint believe that sustaining our world is vital to our future. Our goal is to provide print businesses the resources they need to "green" their printing and publishing processes. We also aim to educate those searching for large-quantity printing services; choose a publisher with environmental credentials to make the world a better place.
Green Printing & Publishing Philosophy
Paper Sourcing: publishers and consumers alike are raising their standards, expecting paper companies to have strong sustainability credentials. With authorities like The Forest Stewardship Council, it has never been easier to determine which businesses use natural resources responsibly and sparingly.
Renewable Resources: the world's leading printers and publishers have shifted away from the use of finite resources. Many printing facilities are now powered by 100% renewable energy. Others have abandoned the use of traditional paper and ink in favor of recycled paper and vegetable-based inks.
Carbon Strategy: with new standards emerging to measure a paper's carbon footprint, such as those introduced by the Confederation of European Paper Industries, it's now apparent that paperless media isn't the only way for businesses to be sustainable. The CEPI measures and outlines ten key areas of a paper's carbon footprint throughout production.
Recent Updates
FSC Revises Sustainable Design Standards
The Forest Stewardship Council has addressed some of the deficiencies of their sustainable design standards with the latest changes they have made to their certified product classification system. Aside from performing list updates, the FSC has combined technical and marketing characteristics in their recent update of certified product classifications to guarantee immediate market linkages between producers and buyers. Also, the ongoing public consultation is a key step in ensuring that FSC certified product classification is simple, concise and rewards the use of widely recognized product names. As a result of these changes, the FSC projects an increase in LEED certified design projects and environmentally friendly paper production.
What is environmentally superior paper? The Environmental Paper Network (EPN) defines it as paper that meets the following criteria:
- Uses a minimum of 50% of post consumer recycled waste (PCW).
- Virgin fiber that has no controlled wood content or controversial sources.
- Processed Chlorine Free (PCF)
SustainPrint strongly recommends using 100% post consumer recycled paper. Not only does the production of 100% post consumer recycled paper emit 25-50% less greenhouse gas, it requires ZERO trees. Even in the digital age, there are sustainable publishing options for traditional print media.
San Diego Simplifies Its Recycling Process For Residents
In an attempt to encourage all residents to recycle and to follow the recycling guidelines, Recycling San Diego has simplified the rules for curbside recycling. The city has issued its residents a blue bin designated for recycling only and has expanded its list of recycleable materials, which now includes clean plastic food packaging, plastic buckets and tubs. Since San Diego Waste Management has simplified its recycling process, an increasing number of newspapers, magazines, paper food boxes, paper bags and cardboard products have made their way into recycling bins. For that, SustainPrint thanks you.