Business Management - Sustainability

The Print Buyer’s Reduction in Taxes Bill of 2010 proposes that any print project, which is purchased in an environmentally sustainable way, be eligible for refunds of state sales taxes by the Federal government.

A proposed U.S. tax credit for "green" printing that was unveiled this week could lead to some interesting arguments among environmentalists, printers, paper mills and print-buying organizations.

The legislation would be good news for paper mills using recycled fiber and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative but bad news for big printers and overseas paper manufacturers.

The June PaperSpecs webinar “Understanding the New FSC Labels” could have been called “Everything You Wanted to Know about the New FSC Labels But Were Afraid to Ask” except that attendees weren’t afraid to ask anything!

Guest speaker Monika Patel, FSC Canada’s program officer served up answers to your biggest concerns about the new labeling standards and graphic formats. And while you may see some of those new labels (FSC-STD-50-001) in use today right along with the original format (FSC-STD-40-201), the updated labels are not required until January 1, 2011.

The "Seven Sins of Greenwashing" are detailed by Scot Case of TerraChoice in this audio clip from the "Green Marketing Without Greenwashing" Webinar.

There's a perception — especially among some smaller printers — that sustainability programs are expensive and time consuming. Think again.

“Sustainability is more than using recycled paper and soy inks...it's a holistic approach to running a business,” says Gary Jones, director of environmental, health and safety affairs for Printing Industries of America (www.printing.org). “With this approach, many printing operations have been able to save significant costs due to waste prevention, improved product quality and reduced operating expenses.”

Does this mean that theoretically the paper you and I buy does not contain the full 30 percent FSC/SFI pulp it claims? Sorry, but yes.

This paper explores the specific areas where Presstek DI presses offer environmental and economic advantages over conventional offset, digital toner and inkjet printing technologies Presstek DI presses redefine printing and integrate new innovations, which lower its environmental impact while creating new business opportunities for printers.

In addition to waterless printing, MOSAIC also offers traditional offset, UV and digital printing to the four vertical markets it serves: creative agencies/designers, corporations, as well as the membership market and government.

The e-mail headline read, "Special Announcement from Michael Makin." It said, "Dear Printing Industries of America Member: As you are aware, printed products are being criticized more and more for their impact on the environment—and unjustifiably so."

Although inks make up a relatively small proportion of printed materials, working out their carbon footprints can be difficult because of the wide range of ink formulations and the numerous chemicals within them.