Eco-Friendly Printing

Printing consumes a lot of energy, often from non-renewable sources, and it can sometimes be unavoidable in day-to-day work. However, some steps can be taken to reduce the environmental impact of your printing practices. Conserving, choosing eco-friendly materials, and working with a good vendor are all ways to help reduce the environmental load of printing.

Conserving Materials

With remote and hybrid work now common post-pandemic, digital documents, such as PDFs and DocuSigns, have become popular over printed materials. Thus, before printing, you should always ask yourself: is printing this necessary, or can this task be handled digitally instead?

If printing is necessary, you can reduce materials by optimizing paper size and page layout. One standard sheet of A4 paper requires 2–13 liters of water, depending on the mill (van Oel & Hoekstra, 2012). Printing two “half sheets” on one page and cutting them for distribution can halve paper use and water use accordingly.

Choosing Materials

Paper

Paper fibers can typically be recycled five to seven times, sometimes even more (NCASI, 2023). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recycling one ton of paper can save 15 to 17 mature trees (EPA, n.d.). Choosing recycled paper, either in-office or through a print vendor, is a great way to reduce resource consumption. Look for certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which verifies responsible forestry and production practices.

Ink

Recycling printer cartridges prevents waste and reduces emission: a cartridge that yields five thousand pages emits approximately 3.2 kg of CO2. It is always good to look for recycled ink cartridges. The type of ink matters too. Many ink cartridges contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which are bad for the environment and human health (Q. Wang et al., 2023; Z.-M. Wang et al., 2011). Instead, look for soy, vegetable, or water-based inks. When working with printing companies, request VOC-free, plant-based inks.

Printing Partners

When looking for a printing company or design agency, opt for partners that consider their environmental impact. Look for print companies that use energy-efficient production methods and agencies well-versed in environmentally friendly printing materials. You can always ask a vendor what steps they are taking to reduce water, energy, and their carbon footprint, or if they have a replanting or sustainability program.

References

NCASI. (2023). Recyclability of Paper and Paperboard (White Paper WP-23-03). National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. 

van Oel, P. R., & Hoekstra, A. Y. (2012). Towards Quantification of the Water Footprint of Paper: A First Estimate of its Consumptive Component. Water Resources Management, 26(3), 733–749. 

Wang, Q., An, D., Yuan, Z., Sun, R., Lu, W., & Wang, L. (2023). A field investigation into the characteristics and formation mechanisms of particles during the operation of laser printers and photocopiers. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 126, 697–707. 

Wang, Z.-M., Wagner, J., & Wall, S. (2011). Characterization of Laser Printer Nanoparticle and VOC Emissions, Formation Mechanisms, and Strategies to Reduce Airborne Exposures. Aerosol Science and Technology, 45(9), 1060–1068.