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 major changes being implemented is replacing the mineral based inks with those which are vegetable oil based. The mineral based inks emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The VOCs react with nitrogen oxide found in the environment to produce ozone gas. This type of ozone is different from the protective ozone as it is formed much lower in the atmosphere. It attracts materials such as dust particles forming smog.
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.
There are changes which have been adopted in the screening of fabrics. One area in which this is taking place is in the pretreatment process. The conventional process involves using chemicals which contain significant amounts of urea. The urea is broken down during steaming to produce carbon dioxide. A special foam which does not require the inclusion of the harmful compounds is now increasingly being used.
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 major changes being implemented is replacing the mineral based inks with those which are vegetable oil based. The mineral based inks emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The VOCs react with nitrogen oxide found in the environment to produce ozone gas. This type of ozone is different from the protective ozone as it is formed much lower in the atmosphere. It attracts materials such as dust particles forming smog.
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.
There are changes which have been adopted in the screening of fabrics. One area in which this is taking place is in the pretreatment process. The conventional process involves using chemicals which contain significant amounts of urea. The urea is broken down during steaming to produce carbon dioxide. A special foam which does not require the inclusion of the harmful compounds is now increasingly being used.
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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