Green Print and Packaging Materials- More Than Just recycle, Reuse, Renew- Dig Deeper!
Posted: Monday, October 20, 2008
by Jeff Salisbury
Label Impressions, Inc.
What is green printing really all about?
When we think 'green printing' the terms 'recycled', FSC Certified, and 'soy inks' come to mind, but is that all there is? Are these things really enough? One ton of recycled paper still consumes up to four trees, 18,000 BTU's of energy, creates up to two tons of solid waste, and creates thousands of gallons of contaminated waste-water? Certainly FSC, SFI, and PEFC are important designations and diverting pulp production from irresponsibly managed forests is critical, but at what point will we begin to tip the balance of FSC paper production versus FSC forestry growth toward the negative?
Sustainable Paper Options vs Traditional Tree-Pulp Papers
Tree-free papers made from rotting plant waste such as banana, papaya and coconut trees, bamboo, and bagasse are an option here. There are a few companies that focus on tree-free paper production, and though the performance of these papers as a label/packaging material is limited in some cases they have successfully replaced tree-pulp papers. Have a look at one sustainable option from Pure Labels, and Label Impressions, Inc. for more options for sustainable, tree-free label papers that perform.
Stone paper made from natural chalk (calcium carbonate) is made from an abundant resource and is one of the high performing options for green printing and packaging materials with a superior sustainability story. FiberStone tree-free stone paper from Natural Source Printing, Inc is one of the more popular, high performing papers in this category and has been used on wide variety of printing and packaging applications including labels.
Carbon Footprint- 'What Does it Actually Take to Produce and Supply Your 'Green'/Recycled Paper?
This is the 'real' issue that brand owners and marketers need to be concerned with. When the folks at Natural Source Printing began sourcing eco-friendly paper options they took a look at carbon footprint (which is why FiberStone tree-free rock paper became one of the featured products of Natural Source.) By using recycled (post consumer waste) papers we certainly preserve our most significant carbon storage resources but at what point will our forests' carbon storage capacity fail to keep up with our carbon producing activities?
Pulp production and processing of recycled fibers are the real culprits here- each requiring a significant amount of energy. This massive consumption contributes to an enormous amount of Co2 emitted into our atmosphere. You can see how an argument can and should be made for using low carbon footprint materials (lower energy consumption) over recycled papers for printing and packaging.
Identify and Promote Your Eco-Vision Statement
The first step to creating and promoting/marketing a brand's sustainable packaging is to create and publish a solid eco-vision. Start by taking a look at your competitor's websites and those of companies that have been on this path for some time. Any eco-conscious brand will have an eco-vision and/or eco mission statement. Your own statement should include which aspects of sustainability and environmental stewardship are important to your company. Be specific here- it is absolutely okay to choose a specific cause such as water conservation, landfill reduction, carbon emission reduction, etc and to leave out those that don't fit your company or brand.
From here you'll need to spell out your environmental/sustainability goals and how you plan to get there. If source reduction, lean/efficient manufacturing production processes, or sourcing more eco-friendly packaging materials is part of your plan then make sure to say so. Recent studies show that a company's eco-vision is important to consumers. A savvy consumer who identifies with your vision will not only purchase your product and become a loyal customer but will become an advocate for your company!
One such company that has been successful with this strategy is Patagonia. Part of Patagonia's eco vision involves the following statement: "We acknowledge that the wild world we love best is disappearing. That is why those of us who work here share a strong commitment to protecting undomesticated lands and waters." In choosing water conservation (among other issues) Patagonia has chosen a clear path and makes sure that when sourcing printing and packaging water conservation is a prime focus and part of the selection criteria.
So what's next?
You can start by educating yourself and your customers about the real threats to a cleaner planet- carbon emissions and depletion of non-renewable natural resources. Stop buying into' the oversimplified recycle, reuse, renew' mantra and dig deeper! Educate yourself and about these concerns and the options that help counteract them. Using recycled packaging and asking consumers to please recycle' isn't enough folks- dig deeper, learnand focus on the right green message!
This Article has been viewed 154 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Hey a really good thought provoking article. Do some more we all need them.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.