Implementing effective corporate sustainability initiatives is a vital task for every organization. From a pivot to using renewable energy to reducing office waste, and everything in between, corporate sustainability is more important than ever before–both for the climate and for corporate branding.
Using sustainable eco-printing techniques is a top method that demonstrates your organization’s commitment to the environment and helps you reach your corporate sustainability goals. In this article, we’ll discuss what you need to know about eco printing, including how you can incorporate sustainable printing into your organization through using recycled materials and biodegradable inks, and how a cost-benefit analysis can help you weigh the advantages of environmentally friendly printing.
What Is Eco Printing?
Eco-printing consists of a range of printing techniques that help the environment. It includes a range of choices and materials that minimize waste and treat the earth kindly. Some of the most significant eco printing strategies include using recycled paper, reducing waste, and choosing sustainable ink options. (We’ll explain each of these strategies in more detail later in this article, so keep reading to learn more!)
Eco-printing is a crucial aspect that supports broader ESG (environmental, social, and governance) goals. It helps organizations decrease their emissions, decrease material costs, and demonstrate company values to stakeholders.
The Benefits of Eco Printing for Businesses
Environmentally friendly printing offers a range of benefits to businesses, including the following.
Aligning with Sustainability Goals
Your sustainability goals define who you are as an organization, and eco-friendly printing is an important strategy to meet these goals. By investing in ecologically conscious printing methods and materials, you make the world a better place. In addition, you receive the added benefits of improving your brand image and reputation among eco-conscious consumers and partners.
As you’re defining and refining your sustainability goals, include print and paper-specific goals, such as opting for environmentally-friendly print on demand services, which are easy to implement and lead to positive effects on both the environment and your bottom line.
Reducing Environmental Impact
Eco-printing is a simple and attainable method that decreases your impact on the environment. By using recycled materials, you both save resources and minimize landfill contributions.
Through sustainable printing practices, you also reduce your organization’s greenhouse gas emissions, which helps make the world a better place for all. Given eco-friendly printing’s benefits for both the environment and your organization, it’s an easy choice to make.
Cost-Effectiveness Over Time
Green printing is a strategy that pays off. While eco-friendly printing materials occasionally cost slightly more, you receive long-term savings through energy-efficient processes and waste reduction. In particular, by opting for print on demand, you can cut costs radically by minimizing print waste. These savings add up over time.
Key Features of Eco Printing Solutions
Here are some of the most important aspects of environmentally friendly printing that you can incorporate into your sustainability initiatives.
Recycled Paper and Materials
Recycled paper is a key aspect of sustainable printing. More and more recycled paper options have become available; nowadays, you can choose from anywhere between 10% to 100% post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled papers. In most cases, the quality of recycled paper is very close to that of paper made with new fiber.
In addition, you can choose to print on papers made of alternative sustainable materials, such as cotton and even denim. These papers also offer unique and tasteful colors and textures, making them sophisticated options that demonstrate your care for the environment.
Biodegradable and Soy-Based Inks
These days, there are more eco-friendly inks to choose from than ever before. You are no longer limited to solvent-based inks that use petroleum and have high volatile organic compound (VOC) levels. Nowadays, some of the most environmentally-friendly inks include soy-based ink, water-based ink, and even algae-based ink. These inks are low in VOCs; algae-based ink is even carbon-negative.
In particular, soy-based ink is a common eco-friendly choice. It creates vibrant, high-quality print materials that are suitable for all professional products, and it is a top ink for printing on almost all paper materials.
Energy-Efficient Printing Processes
Contemporary printing uses much less energy than it used to. This is due to technological advancements over recent decades, including the invention of energy-efficient digital printing presses.
In addition, some printing companies nowadays use a carbon-neutral production process, including by using solar and wind power, as well as other environmentally-friendly energy sources. Working with such a printing company is an essential strategy to help you meet your corporate sustainability goals.
How to Implement Eco Printing in Your Business
As you’re starting to transition to eco-friendly printing practices, here are three of the most important steps to take:
- Audit current printing practices and identify areas for improvement. By understanding where you are, you can better understand where to go next. Complete an in-house audit of your printing practices, or ask an outside consultant LINK to do this for you.
- Partner with eco-conscious printing providers like The Print Authority. When looking for a potential printing partner, make sure to ask about their commitment to sustainability and how they can help you reach your sustainability goals.
- Educate employees on sustainability and integrate green practices across departments. Taking care of the environment is everyone’s job. Include sustainability initiatives at every level to ensure that all employees are working towards your sustainability initiatives.
Choose The Print Authority for Eco Printing Solutions
Since 1991, The Print Authority has been a leader in sustainable printing. Our commitment to sustainability affects everything we do, including our use of soy-based inks, recycled papers, and use of 100% renewable energy. We are passionate about helping you use printing to make the world a greener place!
We offer services that cater to all of your eco-printing needs, including solutions for corporate clients such as custom print portals that facilitate environmentally-friendly on demand printing.
To get started, contact The Print Authority to explore eco-friendly printing solutions for your business.
