The most sustainable way to print is to adopt environmentally responsible practices throughout the printing process, from design to production and disposal. This involves minimizing the ecological footprint associated with printing activities, conserving resources, reducing waste generation, and promoting the use of eco-friendly materials and technologies. In this article, we will explore the importance of sustainable printing, the key elements that define it, and some tips on how to practice it in your office or home.
The printing industry has historically contributed to deforestation, energy consumption, water pollution, and waste accumulation. According to a report by the Environmental Paper Network, global production of printing paper has tripled over the past three decades, reaching 406 million tons in 2019[^1^][1]. The same report estimates that the paper industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, 8% of global freshwater withdrawal, and 14% of global deforestation[^1^][1].
Sustainable printing practices help mitigate these environmental impacts by conserving natural resources, reducing carbon emissions, and minimizing pollution. It supports the preservation of ecosystems, biodiversity, and overall environmental well-being. It also aligns with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship, enhance brand reputation, and attract environmentally conscious customers. Furthermore, sustainable printing practices often result in cost savings and increased efficiency, as they reduce operational expenses, disposal costs, and resource wastage.
What are the key elements of sustainable printing?
Sustainable printing can be achieved by following four main principles: using environmentally friendly materials, improving energy efficiency, reducing waste and recycling, and controlling emissions and pollution. Let’s look at each of these in more detail.
Use of environmentally friendly materials
One of the most important aspects of sustainable printing is to use eco-friendly materials, such as recycled papers, vegetable-based inks, and environmentally certified substrates. These materials reduce the demand for virgin resources, conserve energy and water during production, and minimize waste generation. They also have lower toxicity levels and are easier to recycle or compost.
Some examples of environmentally friendly materials are:
Recycled paper: Paper that is made from post-consumer or post-industrial waste, rather than from freshly cut trees. Recycled paper reduces the need for deforestation, saves energy and water, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), using one ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil, and 4,000 kilowatts of energy[^2^][2].
Vegetable-based ink: Ink that is derived from renewable sources, such as soy, corn, or linseed, rather than from petroleum or other fossil fuels. Vegetable-based ink has lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals, which are harmful to human health and the environment. It also produces brighter and more vibrant colors, and is easier to remove from paper during recycling.
Environmentally certified substrates: Substrates that have been verified by independent organizations to meet certain environmental standards, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). These standards ensure that the substrates are sourced from responsibly managed forests, which protect biodiversity, indigenous rights, and social benefits.
Reducing energy consumption is another key element of sustainable printing. Energy-efficient printing equipment, such as printers with ENERGY STAR® certification, help minimize power usage during operation. ENERGY STAR® is a program that promotes energy efficiency and environmental protection by setting performance criteria for various products and services. According to the EPA, ENERGY STAR® certified printers can save up to 50% of energy compared to conventional models[^3^][3].
Another way to improve energy efficiency is to optimize the printing process, such as by using duplex printing, adjusting print settings, and avoiding unnecessary printing. Duplex printing, or printing on both sides of the paper, can reduce paper usage and energy consumption by up to 50%. Adjusting print settings, such as reducing the print quality, the number of copies, or the color mode, can also save energy and ink. Avoiding unnecessary printing, such as printing drafts, emails, or web pages, can prevent waste and save resources.
Waste reduction and recycling
Waste reduction and recycling are essential for sustainable printing, as they prevent the accumulation of paper, ink, and toner in landfills, where they can leach toxic chemicals and emit greenhouse gases. According to the EPA, paper accounts for 25% of the total waste generated in the United States, and only 66% of it is recovered for recycling[^4^][4]. The rest ends up in landfills or incinerators, where it contributes to environmental degradation and climate change.
Some ways to reduce waste and recycle are:
Use paper-saving features: Many printers have features that can help reduce paper usage, such as print preview, print selection, and print multiple pages per sheet. These features allow users to check the document before printing, select only the pages or sections that are needed, and print more than one page on a single sheet of paper.
Recycle empty toner and ink cartridges: Toner and ink cartridges are made of plastic, metal, and other materials that can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. Recycling them can save resources, energy, and money, as well as reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Many printer manufacturers and retailers offer recycling programs for their cartridges, or users can find local recycling centers that accept them.
Recycle paper: Paper can be recycled up to seven times, depending on the quality and type of paper. Recycling paper can save trees, water, energy, and landfill space, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Users can recycle paper by separating it from other waste, using recycling bins or containers, and taking it to recycling facilities or collection points.
Emissions and pollution control are also important for sustainable printing, as they aim to reduce the harmful effects of printing activities on the air, water, and soil. Printing can produce various types of emissions and pollutants, such as VOCs, particulate matter, ozone, and wastewater. These substances can affect human health and the environment, causing respiratory problems, allergies, cancer, acid rain, eutrophication, and soil contamination.
Some ways to control emissions and pollution are:
Use low-VOC or VOC-free ink: VOCs are organic compounds that evaporate at room temperature and react with other substances in the air, forming ozone and smog. Ozone and smog can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and damage to crops and vegetation. Low-VOC or VOC-free ink can reduce the amount of VOCs emitted during printing, and improve indoor and outdoor air quality.
Use filters and ventilation systems: Filters and ventilation systems can help remove or dilute the emissions and pollutants produced by printing equipment, such as particulate matter, ozone, and odors. Filters can capture the particles and gases, while ventilation systems can circulate fresh air into the printing area. These devices can improve the working environment and the health of the workers and the customers.
Use wastewater treatment systems: Wastewater treatment systems can help treat the wastewater generated by printing processes, such as washing, rinsing, and cleaning. Wastewater can contain ink, chemicals, and other contaminants that can pollute the water sources and harm the aquatic life. Wastewater treatment systems can remove or reduce these contaminants, and make the wastewater suitable for reuse or discharge.
Sustainable printing is not only a responsibility of the printing industry, but also of the consumers and users of printed products. Everyone can practice sustainable printing by following some simple tips, such as:
Choose eco-friendly printing services: When looking for a printing service, look for one that has a sustainability policy, uses environmentally friendly materials and equipment, and follows the best practices of green printing. You can also check if the printing service has any environmental certifications or awards, such as the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), the Green Seal, or the EcoLogo.
Design for sustainability: When creating a document or a design for printing, consider how to make it more sustainable, such as by using less paper, ink, and color, and by avoiding unnecessary elements, such as images, graphics, or fonts. You can also use digital tools, such as PDFs, e-books, or online platforms, to share or distribute your document or design, instead of printing it.
Educate yourself and others: Educating yourself and others about the benefits and challenges of sustainable printing can help raise awareness and encourage action. You can learn more about sustainable printing by reading articles, books, or blogs, watching videos or documentaries, or attending workshops or webinars. You can also share your knowledge and experience with your colleagues, friends, or family, and inspire them to practice sustainable printing.
Conclusion
Sustainable printing is a way of printing that minimizes the environmental impact and maximizes the social and economic benefits of printing activities. It involves using environmentally friendly materials, improving energy efficiency, reducing waste and recycling, and controlling emissions and pollution. Sustainable printing is important for the preservation of the environment, the enhancement of the brand reputation, and the saving of costs and resources. Sustainable printing can be practiced by anyone, by choosing eco-friendly printing services, designing for sustainability, and educating yourself and others. By adopting sustainable printing practices, we can contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for ourselves and the generations to come.
