It seems that every industry is trying to make a conscious effort to use more environmentally friendly and sustainable products, so why should print be the exception? In fact, a recent study has found that the world consumes 300 million tonnes of paper a year.
As you know, print on paper is a valuable asset to nearly every office and business not only in the UK, but worldwide. However, in order for print to still be as relevant in the future, it needs to think green and act green.
Luckily, suppliers and printers alike are combating this issue through the use of recycled and Forest Stewardship Council(FSC) certified papers. The process of recycling used paper involves cleaning, de-inking and churning the paper into a pulp until it is eventually mixed with newer materials to create recycled paper.
Additionally, some advantages of this method compared to the normal process is not only can it be repeated approximately 7 times, recycled paper also saves around 7,000 gallons of water. This alternative to the traditional methods of producing paper could be crucial in maintaining the strength of the printing sector in the future.
Furthermore, at MetOne all our paper is FSC certified, therefore all paper supplied has been ethically and sustainably sourced from one of 429 million acres protected by the FSC worldwide. We believe that FSC paper is indistinguishable from traditional paper therefore we find it is more appealing to the corporate world.
Recently, the FSC has also announced that they have started making paper out of wood alternatives such as wheat straw. This statement can only be seen as encouraging as not only is this approach tackling deforestation, but also it emphasises how innovation can allow the print industry to be as important as ever.
But there’s a lot more to print then just paper, the ink used is a key component of the printing process. Currently, the toner used in most printing presses are harmful to the environment as they release carbon compounds which contributes to global warming.
However, a revolution has begun as the heavyweights of the industry have decided to give green a chance. Printers like ourselves are turning to more sustainable inks made out of organic products such as vegetable oil and soybeans.
The economy also has a direct effect on the price of ink due to it containing crude oil and just like the car industry, print companies are starting to look at more eco – friendly alternatives. The use of sustainable ink also has great benefits such as being 96% more efficient and these toners can be cleaned more easily as they do not need to be treated with harsh solvents.
Moreover, soybean ink is a very attractive prospect for suppliers and clients as it can produce more vivid colours then the mainstream toner used at the moment. Also, all vegetable-based inks can minimise drying times and it uses less water.
So how does this relate to us as a company? Well, at MetOne we strive to be as green as possible and recently we have worked with a host of clients who specifically only want print produced from sustainable materials. This has led to a change of suppliers and production processes to ensure that we evolve into a greener, more sustainable company.
If you want to find out more, or enquire about our recycled stocks, get in touch!