There have been sustained efforts by governments as well as environmental activists advocating for the increased adoption of technology that is environmental friendly by various industries. The printing industry is one of those that have come under intense pressure to change the methods that have employed for decades. There are a number of measures that one can out in place so as to implement sustainable digital printing.
One of the areas in which major changes can be made is in the types of inks that are used. The conventional types contain chemicals that release pollutants known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds are created when the chemicals are exposed to nitrogen oxide and sunlight in the environment. A layer of ozone in the low atmosphere is formed. This layer is undesirable as it contributes to widespread smog formation.
The other area in which significant changes can be made is in the type of paper that is used. Increased use of virgin paper causes increased deforestation, a major contributing factor to global warming and climate change. Recycled paper, on the other hand, helps reduce wastage and hence the need to cut down more trees. During processing, there is production of less effluent when recycled paper is used as compared to virgin paper.
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 recycling of paper, there are a number of other raw materials that can also be recycled or reused. Water is perhaps the most important of them and the easiest to reuse. Studies show that at least 65% of water can be reused for different purposes in the firm. Others include aluminum plates, ink and waste paper. The emphasis should be reducing wastage as much as possible before considering recycling.
Energy is another important factor to consider in the process. Most environmental conscious firms are now moving away from fossil based fuels in favor of renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind energy. Since it may be a bit costly to make major changes at a go, most companies do it progressively by replacing old inefficient equipment with that which has more output per kilowatt of electricity used.
These changes have also been successfully replicated in digital fabric printing. Perhaps one of the major differences that exists is the pretreatment stage where urea based compounds are used in fabric printing. These compounds which are known to release carbon dioxide as a byproduct are now being replaced by a special type of foam.
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.
One of the areas in which major changes can be made is in the types of inks that are used. The conventional types contain chemicals that release pollutants known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds are created when the chemicals are exposed to nitrogen oxide and sunlight in the environment. A layer of ozone in the low atmosphere is formed. This layer is undesirable as it contributes to widespread smog formation.
The other area in which significant changes can be made is in the type of paper that is used. Increased use of virgin paper causes increased deforestation, a major contributing factor to global warming and climate change. Recycled paper, on the other hand, helps reduce wastage and hence the need to cut down more trees. During processing, there is production of less effluent when recycled paper is used as compared to virgin paper.
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 recycling of paper, there are a number of other raw materials that can also be recycled or reused. Water is perhaps the most important of them and the easiest to reuse. Studies show that at least 65% of water can be reused for different purposes in the firm. Others include aluminum plates, ink and waste paper. The emphasis should be reducing wastage as much as possible before considering recycling.
Energy is another important factor to consider in the process. Most environmental conscious firms are now moving away from fossil based fuels in favor of renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind energy. Since it may be a bit costly to make major changes at a go, most companies do it progressively by replacing old inefficient equipment with that which has more output per kilowatt of electricity used.
These changes have also been successfully replicated in digital fabric printing. Perhaps one of the major differences that exists is the pretreatment stage where urea based compounds are used in fabric printing. These compounds which are known to release carbon dioxide as a byproduct are now being replaced by a special type of foam.
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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