piątek, 17 maja 2013

Sustainable Digital Printing For Every Business

By Kathryn Neal


Most businesses will eventually need to use paper in their operations, and some will need to use fairly large amounts of it. This need will likely never be eliminated entirely, and so it is crucial to think of ways the environment is affected by this. Choices can still be made that will reduce the impact of printing and paper production, and one of the best things to consider is using sustainable digital printing.

The amount of paper used directly affects the number of trees that are needed to create it, so reducing one will reduce the other. Taking as many traditional documents as possible and converting them into digital formats is a popular approach that can help with this. Receipts, memos, and many other documents that formerly were put on paper can largely have the same result if put online.

Not everything may always be dealt with digitally, however, and in these cases there are still plenty of options to make certain that environmentally sound decisions are being made. The use of recycled paper can make a huge difference here, as it reduces the amount of new trees that are needed. Waste is also reduced dramatically in this method, as old paper is being used to make new rather than being thrown into landfills.

The methods used to bleach paper can also make a big difference when reducing the harm done to the environment. Chlorine-based chemicals, which are traditionally used, are very harmful, but there are alternatives available. If the bleaching process incorporates oxygen-based chemicals instead, the impact is significantly reduced. Finding paper that uses these alternative chemicals can make a huge difference in the type of waste produced in their making.

Traditional ink cartridges generally are not needed when using a digital printing process. In this way, waste is again minimized, as the materials used in the making of these cartridges is also quite harmful, and does not decompose well. If they are not needed at all, then this is clearly no longer a concern.

The post-printing process is every bit as important as the printing procedure itself. Every step must be taken to ensure that as many trees as possible are replaced and that more are planted to replenish those that were used. Many of the more responsible companies already support doing so, and some governments also are implementing forestry initiatives to make sure that these resources are not spent carelessly.

The bottom line of any company is money, and if they do not see a profit, sometimes environmental concerns are not always at the top of the list. To help encourage such companies, some countries even require certifications stating that everything possible is being done to adhere to green guidelines. This is for the benefit of all, and will ultimately result in better, cleaner results.

Those that already implement sustainable digital printing in their businesses are aware of the benefits, but there is so much more that can be done to spread the word. The more who use it, the better and more noticeable the results will be. This may seem like only a small portion of what can be done, but it all adds up to a future that is cleaner, brighter, and more filled with healthy trees for our environment.




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