Green printing

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Printing and related industries constitute one of the major sources of environmental pollution due to heavy energy and resource (materials) use. Therefore, there is a need to adopt resourceful thinking, so we all can contribute to environmental protection by adhering to greener, eco-friendly, and sustainable practices. Some of the strategies that can be used include:

• using socially conscious, environmentally friendly products and packaging
• establishing safety and efficacy in product design
• using renewable and recyclable resources
• supporting biodegradability
• Alternative paper choices – using treeless papers made from alternative sources, such as bamboos, sugar cane, stone, and plastic. Also, the use of 100% post-consumer waste-recycled paper.
• Electronic placing of orders, sending files, and receiving electronic proof from computer.
• Recycling – all paper trimmings, ink, and toner cartridges.
• On-demand printing – using digital color press.
• Vegetable-based inks – providing for chemical-free water-based printing

Additionally, there are sustainable efforts that have been introduced to reduce wastes and to enhance the efficacy of the print production process. These include:

• The use of eco-board poster boards – these are used to mount posters on materials made from recycled cardboard.
• CD and DVD production – offer discs to reduce paper.
• Poster stand rental – simply rent and reuse rather than purchasing them.
• Environmentally friendly direct-to-plate imaging.
• Two-sided printing – to be used as necessary; reduces paper use.
• Select recycled paper