As we continue to become more environmentally conscious, many of us are looking for the greenest printers around to meet our needs. This is important as the printing industry contributes a great deal of pollution to our environment each year as energy is consumed and waste is produced. Today there are new technologies that help to decrease the harmful effects of printing but not all companies choose to implement them.
We all want to be green, don’t we?
It has become a trend in recent years to advertise a printing company as being green. This can be justified by implementing a basic recycling programme. For this reason, it is important to watch for the various certifications that a printer might have. These will help to ensure that you are seeking the service of a truly green company. Popular environmental certifications can be obtained through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the Forest Stewardship Council, and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes.
Another popular certification is known as ISO 14001. In order to receive this type of accreditation, companies must meet a number of strict standards. Any company that receives this certification must continually try to improve their environmental practices as well.
Old printers pollute. Alot.
One of the greenest printers in the world is known as Sterling Solutions which is located in the UK. They have received certification from the PEFC and FSC. Sterling has also received their ISO 14001 accreditation. In addition to multiple certifications, this company implements a number of environmentally friendly practices which includes high efficiency lighting and sophisticated waste disposal systems.
Lamport Gilbert is another large UK printer that has been recognized recently for its environmental friendliness. This company has received their ISO 14001 accreditation and they are currently working to become even greener by implementing a carbon neutral programme in the future. Lamport Gilbert also uses paper that comes only from sustainable sources.
Now that’s a waste control solution…
Through a huge recycling effort, Lamport Gilbert has also managed to cut down significantly on the amount of waste that they produce. All materials that can be recycled by the company are kept out of the landfill which has cut back on garbage by more than 60 per cent.
Albuquerque, New Mexico is the home of Cottonwood Printing Company. This is a smaller company with fewer than 30 employees. Cottonwood has made a name for itself in the United States by constantly implementing the latest and greatest technologies which help to reduce their overall carbon footprint.
Galaxy Press, which is located in Concord, California, is one of the greenest printers in the region. It also has the distinction of becoming the first printer in the area to receive a green certification. In order to receive this certification, Galaxy Press had to submit to a thorough examination of their entire printing process. Everything was examined including how the chemicals used by the company were disposed of. The company has even deigned custom software that tracks the volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that are used.
Green Paper. Or Green Paper?
Anderson Lithograph operates a number of offices throughout the United States. This green printer has been awarded multiple certifications and awards for its environmentally friendly practices. For more than a decade, Anderson Lithograph has been working towards a system that reduces the amount of wastes it produces. This includes everything from ink to chemicals. The company estimates that they have reduced their greenhouse emissions by as much as 48 per cent since 1995.
Eco Print is one of the few printers today that can claim carbon neutrality. This is done by purchasing carbon credits and planting trees. All energy that is consumed by this company is derived from wind power as well. Even when the company began back in 1977, employees were searching for ways to reduce their impact on the environment.
Carbon Neutralitly
Today customers can choose Eco-ink which has been specially designed by Eco Print to be free of toxic metals that are harmful to the environment. The paper that Eco Print uses in their printing process is friendly to the environment as well.
The top green printer in Australia is Finsbury Green Printing. They have received ISO 14001 accreditation. This printer has received numerous awards for their environmental work as well. Like Eco Print, Finsbury also has the distinct honour of being carbon neutral. Finsbury pursues their environmental goals by choosing technologies that are green and by developing processes that are less harmful to the environment.
One of the major achievements that Finsbury Green Printing has implemented is a computer to plate system. Many printers rely on a number of chemicals during the printing process but the CtP system requires no chemicals at all which is much better for the environment. This printer also relies primarily on inks that are vegetable based as well.
A computer running things?
Maple Vail is another green printer which has a history of environmental practices that dates back at least ten years. Reduction is a major effort that this printer continually works on. Reducing the supplies that the company uses throughout the year and waste reduction are two vital issues. Maple Vail also tries to reuse materials as well. This company is certified by the FSC. They also use paper that has been certified by the FSC in their printing process.
Blackmore is one of the top rated green printers in the world. They have received ISO 14001 accreditation and have been certified by both the FSC and PEFC. The environmental measures that this company implements includes vegetable based ink and high efficiency lighting in their buildings. Employees at Blackmore are also encouraged to participate in a car sharing programme as well.
Car sharing is an excellent idea
Green Printer operates in both the United States and in Canada. It has long been the goal of this company to reduce their overall impact on the environment. Taking into consideration how dirty the printing industry really is, this company decided to look for ways to reduce waste and energy consumption. The current goal of Green Printer is to save a million trees over the course of the next decade. This will be done by using special recycled paper.
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I also have a green print option to add! Why not refill your cartridges?? Its cheaper and it prevents waste going into landfill! Cartridge World are brilliant, and cartridges are only 12 pounds and up!
We’ve been in the recycling industry for a number of years and have seen significant improvements in technologies used in preinter manufacturing. However, a significant issue with printer paper contninues to be dust assoictaed with recycled paper. This blocks and eventually critically damages laser printers. However, there’s numerous other techniques available to reduce climate impact associated with printing. As you stated in your article, a business cutting it’s carbon footprint is a good reflection of it’s sustainability credentials. Whilst I don’t personally believe in carbon offsetting on a personal level, businesses can certainly have an impact on carbon production through the use of recycled cartridges, faster printers, newer ink technologies and…. less printing!