Like many other industries, the printing industry has been forced to make radical changes in a bid to adopt processes promoting environmental sustainability. Apart from conserving natural resources, these processes have also been shown to significantly reduce operating costs resulting in better returns. There are a number of ways through which businesses in these industry can adopt digital printing that is eco friendly.
Ink is one of the most significant inputs in this process. Many of the ink types which have been used in the past are derived from fossil fuels hence are likely to produce volatile organic compounds when they are released into the environment. Volatile organic compounds are known to react with nitrogenous gases in the environment to form a low lying layer of ozone. Unlike the normal ozone which is protective, this type is mainly associated with smog formation.
Printing paper is another important input in the process. Continued use of paper has put trees and by extension, important ecosystems, at risk. The two options are virgin and recycled paper. Whereas the former is obtained directly from trees, recycled paper makes use of paper used previously. There is no doubt that an environmental conscious business will opt for the recycled paper option. Apart from conservation, recycled paper is also cheaper to process.
The other raw materials can similarly be recycled. Ink, water and aluminum plates are among the most commonly reused materials. Water, in particular is quite easy to re-use. If the firm is operating efficiently, it is estimated that up to 60% of the water utilized in the first cycle can easily be reused in subsequent cycles. This goes a long way into not only conserving the environment but also cutting down on the associated costs.
Energy conservation needs to be prioritized. Minimize on wastage of energy by going for efficient equipment which gives you the greatest output possible for every unit of electricity used. One of the biggest changes being seen in this respect is the increased adoption of non-renewable sources of energy and an accompanying reduction in the use of fossil based fuels. The latter are associated with environmental degradation.
Similar measures can be undertaken in fabric printing. One of the most impactful is the elimination of urea from the pre-treatment of fabrics before they are printed on. When the urea is exposed to steam, it is broken down into carbon dioxide which is released into the environment. Modern pre-treatment techniques utilize a special kind of foam which does not require urea. This has greatly minimized environmental pollution.
Digital engraving is a technique that is now being widely adopted as an alternative to the traditional printing methods. This method uses direct laser as opposed to other method that use ink or wax. One of the major advantages of this option is that it has an extremely short turnaround time that is a markedly shortened. There is no longer a need for water when developing the screens which was the case previously.
There is a need for every business to be responsible as regards environmental sustainability. The entire supply chain should adopt processes which reduce wastage on natural wastage and prevent environmental degradation. If this is applied at every level, the savings realized in running costs are tremendous. The same benefits can be passed to the end consumer in the form of affordable prices.
Ink is one of the most significant inputs in this process. Many of the ink types which have been used in the past are derived from fossil fuels hence are likely to produce volatile organic compounds when they are released into the environment. Volatile organic compounds are known to react with nitrogenous gases in the environment to form a low lying layer of ozone. Unlike the normal ozone which is protective, this type is mainly associated with smog formation.
Printing paper is another important input in the process. Continued use of paper has put trees and by extension, important ecosystems, at risk. The two options are virgin and recycled paper. Whereas the former is obtained directly from trees, recycled paper makes use of paper used previously. There is no doubt that an environmental conscious business will opt for the recycled paper option. Apart from conservation, recycled paper is also cheaper to process.
The other raw materials can similarly be recycled. Ink, water and aluminum plates are among the most commonly reused materials. Water, in particular is quite easy to re-use. If the firm is operating efficiently, it is estimated that up to 60% of the water utilized in the first cycle can easily be reused in subsequent cycles. This goes a long way into not only conserving the environment but also cutting down on the associated costs.
Energy conservation needs to be prioritized. Minimize on wastage of energy by going for efficient equipment which gives you the greatest output possible for every unit of electricity used. One of the biggest changes being seen in this respect is the increased adoption of non-renewable sources of energy and an accompanying reduction in the use of fossil based fuels. The latter are associated with environmental degradation.
Similar measures can be undertaken in fabric printing. One of the most impactful is the elimination of urea from the pre-treatment of fabrics before they are printed on. When the urea is exposed to steam, it is broken down into carbon dioxide which is released into the environment. Modern pre-treatment techniques utilize a special kind of foam which does not require urea. This has greatly minimized environmental pollution.
Digital engraving is a technique that is now being widely adopted as an alternative to the traditional printing methods. This method uses direct laser as opposed to other method that use ink or wax. One of the major advantages of this option is that it has an extremely short turnaround time that is a markedly shortened. There is no longer a need for water when developing the screens which was the case previously.
There is a need for every business to be responsible as regards environmental sustainability. The entire supply chain should adopt processes which reduce wastage on natural wastage and prevent environmental degradation. If this is applied at every level, the savings realized in running costs are tremendous. The same benefits can be passed to the end consumer in the form of affordable prices.
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You can get details about digital printing that is eco friendly and more info about a reliable printing company at http://www.rollingpress.com now.
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