Choose a material that contains a high percentage of post-consumer waste. The more post-consumer waste we use the less that ends up in landfill sites. Note that when a material is described as '100% post-consumer waste' this means 100% of the fibre. Remember that all papers contain more than fibres and if coated a high percentage of the paper will be the coating.
If using a material that contains virgin fibre ensure that it is an FSC certified material. At the present time the FSC certification scheme has the most stringent forestry management standards in environmental and social terms.
Choose a material that is manufactured in the United Kingdom (difficult given the recent demise of UK papermaking) or Europe.
- Choosing a printing company
Use only environmentally-accredited printing companies. In most cases this will mean holding ISO 14001 – with a UKAS certified auditor. ISO 14001 demands environmental awareness, and improvement, on an ongoing basis. Beware of companies that claim to be ‘green’ but are not accredited.
There are appropriate environmental schemes for companies of all sizes and print processes.
- Choose an appropriate printer for your product . Work with them when deciding designs and formats
Small changes in size can greatly affect the method of printing, the material options, the amount of waste generated – all of which can impact on cost.
For example: if choosing a web printer choose one with optimum cut offs. On a 16 page web press a 625mm cut off rather than 630mm will save 63 tonnes of waste paper a year.
Vegetable oil inks are not available for all print processes or used by all printers where they are available. Ask your printers what their policy is and what your options are.
A wide range of stock, and bespoke, envelopes made from recycled material is available, as is non-plastic (glassine) window film. Even better: try to avoid the use of window envelopes.
- Recyclability – things to avoid
All paper is recyclable. It’s the additional processes that may render a product non-recyclable. There are no hard and fast rules as different mills have different reprocessing capabilities but the following may not be recyclable: heavily inked products; laminated products; window envelopes.
- Environmental statement on materials
Publicise the steps you have taken, on your materials. Not only does this show that you take these issues seriously but it helps to promote awareness and to educate.
