Printing

Most events require printed materials to be produced including pole posters, flyer with map, program/timetable, drink vouchers, VIP passes, access passes/lanyards, promotional posters, outdoor posters, and tickets.

The production of printed material has potential sustainability issues which need to be considered and the best choices made. Issues include;

  • type and source of paper
  • inks and varnishes used
  • print company processes and policies
  • location of print company and consequential transport impacts

Consider this:

  1. Print companies to have sustainability initiatives in place.
  2. Paper used to be either tree-free, 100% post consumer recycled, or have a sustainable forestry certification. (such as FSC or PEFC).
  3. Produce only the required number of items, resulting in no surplus.
  4. Inks to preferentially be vegetable/soy based (VOC free).
  5. Varnishes and laminates should preferentially be vegetable-based and biodegradable.
  6. Use only print agencies and print companies which have company sustainability policies.
  7. Use only print companies with ISO 14001 or  a certification such as Sustainable Green Print in Australia.

Printing Certification
One way to ensure the printing process used is the most responsible possible is to use a printing company which has independent certification.

  • ISO 14001 certified
    ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is the first step to a measurable and validated environmentally-friendly print operation.
  • Sustainable Green Print
    Sustainable Green Print (SGP) is the Australian printing industry’s own recognisable certification program designed to help printing companies meet their environmental responsibilities and go above and beyond compliance.
    www.printnet.com.au

Forest Certification:
Using paper with forest certification ensures the user that source forests are sustainably managed and harvested.

Paper Bleaching:
The Chlorine Free Products Association offers Totally Chlorine Free and Processed Chlorine Free certification for papers. www.chlorinefreeproducts.org

Carbon Labelling:
Carbon ‘labels’ are starting to appear. Just like ingredients or calories, the label states the carbon footprint of the product’s manufacture.