In the last decade, businesses have taken great strides to create sustainable manufacturing practices. Commercial printing is leading the change in many of those efforts to help preserve our environment.
Whether in advertisements or packaging, the terms “eco-friendly” or “green” have become as present as the efforts they represent.
What does it mean to be a “green” printer and what should be done during the printing process to promote sustainability and cut down on waste?
Cutting down on waste not only helps the environment but it cuts down on costs for the printer and that savings is passed down to the customer.
Recycling, reducing and re-use responsible paper sourcing
When printing comes up the first thing you may think about in regard to environmental impact would be the amount of paper that is used. While it is true that commercial printers use a lot of paper, steps like using paper made from recycled materials, and recycling scrap help cut down on overall waste.
Collection bins should be placed throughout production areas where waste or misprinted paper can be gathered for recycling. When print jobs are cut to size trimmings are collected and placed in recycling bins as well. Even some plates used on the printing presses, which are made from aluminium, can be collected and recycled.
In addition, sourcing paper from sustainably-managed pulpwood plantations further reduces a printer’s ecological impact. Paper that is made from recycled material has also become an industry norm that carries forward the idea of environmentally responsible production.
Energy efficiency
Reducing energy consumption is a large task in the printing industry due to the machinery and warehouse space associated with the process as a whole. Streamlining operations reduces energy use, by largely cutting down on power consumption. Duplo’s machines specialise in automated precision, speeding the production process, reducing waste (from mistakes), and often carrying out the tasks of several machines all in one finisher, therefore dramatically reducing space, time and energy needed.
Secondly, replacing older, high wattage lighting with cool-running and efficient fluorescent lighting is one step that makes a huge impact on overall energy footprints.
Environmental issues continue to be a topic of heavy discussion. Fortunately, the consumer can be assured that the commercial printing industry is leading by example in its efforts to maximize its energy efficiency and reduction of waste.
Developing efficient methods of producing print materials are created will always be at Duplo’s core, and in turn will lead the way towards environmentally friendly print finishing whilst reducing the cost to our planet and printers in the process.
Learn more about the importance of paper sustainability in the print industry and why print and paper have a great environmental story to tell from our partner Two Sides.
