Due to sustained campaigns against global warming, many industries are under immense pressure to change the methods that they have used in their operations for decades. The printing industry is one of those that have been identified as contributing to carbon emissions at a number of stages. To conform to the new order of things, many are becoming more innovative which is helping conserve the environment and cut down costs. Sustainable digital printing can be achieved on a number of ways.
An area in which major changes are being made is the type of inks that are used in the process. The inks that have been used traditionally are known to result in byproducts known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to the environment. This occurs when the chemical that are found in these inks react with nitrogen oxide (in the atmosphere) in the presence of sunlight. New types of ink do not have these compounds.
The type of paper that is used also determines whether the process is eco friendly or not. Virgin paper is obtained directly from trees and is therefore a direct contributor of increased deforestation rates. Recycled, paper on the other hand, is derived from waste paper. Increased use of recycled paper helps in the conservation of one of our most valued natural resources that is forests. During processing, recycled paper produces less waste.
Paper has also been widely used in proofs. Increased adoption of modern methods of communication is a move that is set to reduce the need for paper for this purpose. Increase use of email, for instance, has completely eliminated the need for paper proofs in some firms. The emails have, in addition, made it easy for customers to follow up on their work as it goes through the various steps in the printing process.
Apart from paper, there are other raw materials that can also be recycled or reused. Water is perhaps the easiest to be put back into the process. One of the areas where recycled water can be put into good use is in the washing of printers. It has been shown that up to 65% of water that is used can be reused. The other materials that should be considered for reuse and recycling include waste paper, ink and aluminum plates.
Energy efficiency should be a priority in a printing firm. Fossil fuels take a big part of the blame for global warming and this is the reason as to why there is a general trend to move away from these sources of energy in favor of more renewable sources. Wind and solar energy are, in particular, getting a very positive reception. When replacing old equipment, acquire new ones that will give you higher input for each kilowatt of electricity that you use.
The changes that are being undertaken in digital paper printing are also being replicated in fabric printing firms. One significant change that is being made with regard to the handling of fabrics is at the pretreatment stage. The conventional method employs the use of urea based compounds. When these compounds are broken down, they release urea as a byproduct. Urea is in turn broken down to release carbon dioxide. Alternatives to these compounds have been developed.
Adopting green based technologies in digital printing has numerous benefits to all that are involved. The savings that are made in the printing process are likely to be passed on to the writer as well as the consumer. Of greater significance, however, is the fact that everyone involved helps conserve the environment.
An area in which major changes are being made is the type of inks that are used in the process. The inks that have been used traditionally are known to result in byproducts known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to the environment. This occurs when the chemical that are found in these inks react with nitrogen oxide (in the atmosphere) in the presence of sunlight. New types of ink do not have these compounds.
The type of paper that is used also determines whether the process is eco friendly or not. Virgin paper is obtained directly from trees and is therefore a direct contributor of increased deforestation rates. Recycled, paper on the other hand, is derived from waste paper. Increased use of recycled paper helps in the conservation of one of our most valued natural resources that is forests. During processing, recycled paper produces less waste.
Paper has also been widely used in proofs. Increased adoption of modern methods of communication is a move that is set to reduce the need for paper for this purpose. Increase use of email, for instance, has completely eliminated the need for paper proofs in some firms. The emails have, in addition, made it easy for customers to follow up on their work as it goes through the various steps in the printing process.
Apart from paper, there are other raw materials that can also be recycled or reused. Water is perhaps the easiest to be put back into the process. One of the areas where recycled water can be put into good use is in the washing of printers. It has been shown that up to 65% of water that is used can be reused. The other materials that should be considered for reuse and recycling include waste paper, ink and aluminum plates.
Energy efficiency should be a priority in a printing firm. Fossil fuels take a big part of the blame for global warming and this is the reason as to why there is a general trend to move away from these sources of energy in favor of more renewable sources. Wind and solar energy are, in particular, getting a very positive reception. When replacing old equipment, acquire new ones that will give you higher input for each kilowatt of electricity that you use.
The changes that are being undertaken in digital paper printing are also being replicated in fabric printing firms. One significant change that is being made with regard to the handling of fabrics is at the pretreatment stage. The conventional method employs the use of urea based compounds. When these compounds are broken down, they release urea as a byproduct. Urea is in turn broken down to release carbon dioxide. Alternatives to these compounds have been developed.
Adopting green based technologies in digital printing has numerous benefits to all that are involved. The savings that are made in the printing process are likely to be passed on to the writer as well as the consumer. Of greater significance, however, is the fact that everyone involved helps conserve the environment.
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