| Whether the issue is paper, ink or the selection of a printer, print buyers can make environmentally preferable choices when evaluating alternatives. There is no need for environmentally preferable paper / print to be aesthetically compromised or demand an unreasonable premium. Sourcing of Raw Material Paper is one of the most renewable and recyclable resources and its source (trees) the most ecologically sustainable resource on the planet. Plantation forests provide the fibre for paper making and help the environment by absorbing carbon and emitting oxygen. The paper manufacturing process itself does not emit carbon and therefore doesn’t contribute to the greenhouse emission problem. The more we are able to identify products coming from well managed forests, which are certified and audited, the greater our ability will be to exert influence on products that don’t. It is Stream’s choice to source paper stocks with the highest environmental credentials and to supply our customers with printed products that originate from ecologically sustainable and renewable plantations grown raw material so that the impact on our environment will be minimised. Print manufacture and distribution process Because we understand there are a number of factors to be considered in choosing an environmentally conscious printer, EnviroAssist has developed a program to carefully scrutinise all of our suppliers, through an environmental audit, ensuring sustainable practices are adhered to and encouraged along with quality and value for money. The sustainability of a product or process however requires an analysis of more than the recycled paper content or the use of soy based inks. How a product is printed, distributed, used and recovered is as important as the raw materials it is made of. When developing printed material, print buyers would benefit to consider the entire production process, from paper choices to printing methods to distribution, use and recovery of resources. Minimising usage of printed products The most significant contribution to the environment as a print manager is to identify and implement solutions that avoid the use of paper. One important opportunity will be to identify where electronic forms and documents can replace paper based products. Reporting environmental performance Stream has developed a reporting system that provides valuable information about the environmental rating of paper stocks used by each customer. |
