There is pressure from numerous quarters for business to use solutions friendlier to the environment. As a result, the printing industry is among those which are experiencing a major shift in the manner in which operations are conducted. There has been an increase in the use of raw materials and methods which fit into this new way of thinking. If you are a player in the industry, there are a number of things you can do to implement digital printing that is eco friendly.
One of the significant changes which are being made is to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs). VOCs have traditionally form a major component of printing ink. One of the effects of these compounds is that they react with nitrogen oxides in the environment in the presence of sunlight to form ozone. The resultant ozone combines with dust particles to form smog which affects both plants and animals.
Recycled paper is a product which is increasingly being accepted as an alternative to fiber paper by many printing plants as well as customers. One of the benefits of using recycled paper is the fact that it requires less water to process compared to virgin paper. It also has less effluent. More importantly, however, recycled paper reduces the rate of deforestation and helps conserve the environment. New methods which do not use chlorine for bleaching now exist.
There are many other raw materials which can be recycled or reused. Water, one of the major inputs in the process, is the easiest to reuse. In an optimally functioning system, close to 65% of water can be reused at different stages. The other materials include, ink aluminium plates and waste paper. The main objective should be to reduce the waste as much as possible.
Conserving energy should be a priority. The contribution made by fossil fuels should be reduced progressively as more alternative sources are adopted in the form of wind and solar energy. If you have to replace old equipment, choose on the basis of faster running speeds which will help you achieve greater output for every kilowatt of electricity consumed. The equipment should be regularly serviced to make sure that they remain efficient.
The firm should reduce the use of paper in handling proof or avoid altogether. The good news is that many firms are now using email for this. Customers are engaged electronically and can easily keep track of their proofs as they move through various stages. Eliminating the use of paper not only conserves the environment but also increases efficiency. Indirect benefits such as reduced need for gas to drive to the site are also realized.
Changes are also being adopted in fabric printing. The pretreatment process involves the use of compounds which contain urea. When the urea is broken down during the steaming process, carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) is produced. Newer alternatives which involve the use of a special foam instead of the urea compounds have been developed.
As can be seen, there are many improvements which can be made at different stages. While it may not be possible to make all these changes at once, every small adjustment counts. Be willing to embrace modern technology which helps in increasing efficiency and minimizing the wastage of inputs.
One of the significant changes which are being made is to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs). VOCs have traditionally form a major component of printing ink. One of the effects of these compounds is that they react with nitrogen oxides in the environment in the presence of sunlight to form ozone. The resultant ozone combines with dust particles to form smog which affects both plants and animals.
Recycled paper is a product which is increasingly being accepted as an alternative to fiber paper by many printing plants as well as customers. One of the benefits of using recycled paper is the fact that it requires less water to process compared to virgin paper. It also has less effluent. More importantly, however, recycled paper reduces the rate of deforestation and helps conserve the environment. New methods which do not use chlorine for bleaching now exist.
There are many other raw materials which can be recycled or reused. Water, one of the major inputs in the process, is the easiest to reuse. In an optimally functioning system, close to 65% of water can be reused at different stages. The other materials include, ink aluminium plates and waste paper. The main objective should be to reduce the waste as much as possible.
Conserving energy should be a priority. The contribution made by fossil fuels should be reduced progressively as more alternative sources are adopted in the form of wind and solar energy. If you have to replace old equipment, choose on the basis of faster running speeds which will help you achieve greater output for every kilowatt of electricity consumed. The equipment should be regularly serviced to make sure that they remain efficient.
The firm should reduce the use of paper in handling proof or avoid altogether. The good news is that many firms are now using email for this. Customers are engaged electronically and can easily keep track of their proofs as they move through various stages. Eliminating the use of paper not only conserves the environment but also increases efficiency. Indirect benefits such as reduced need for gas to drive to the site are also realized.
Changes are also being adopted in fabric printing. The pretreatment process involves the use of compounds which contain urea. When the urea is broken down during the steaming process, carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) is produced. Newer alternatives which involve the use of a special foam instead of the urea compounds have been developed.
As can be seen, there are many improvements which can be made at different stages. While it may not be possible to make all these changes at once, every small adjustment counts. Be willing to embrace modern technology which helps in increasing efficiency and minimizing the wastage of inputs.
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