SUSTAINABLE PRINTING

All of Peats Ridge papers, posters and office material are printed on paper with a minimum recycled content of 70% or more (including bargasse). Where ever possible we use 100% recycled. Peats Ridge programs, posters and flyers are all printed on a paper alternative 'Harvest', made from sugar cane waste and marketed in Australia by Raleigh Paper. Alternatively smaller items are added to print runs on the end of other jobs and use stock that would otherwise be thrown away.

Harvest is a paper alternative manufactured using fibre obtained from agricultural waste produced by the sugar cane industry. Harvest utilises these natural waste resources reducing landfill and using less virgin fibre from trees. Harvest is available in gloss and matt and possessing high bulk and opacity. It’s affordable and has a high quality finish. 

Vegetable based inks are used as an alternative to petroleum based inks. These are made from a variety of vegetable oils. There are many advantages to using vegetable based oils from both an environmental and technical design perspective. 

PRINTING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Harvest is an environmentally responsible paper alternative.

Harvest contains 70% alternative fibre (Bagasse and recycled sugar cane) and 30% elemental chlorine free (ECF) softwood pulp sourced from sustainable, well managed forests. 

Vegetable based inks are used as an alternative to petroleum based inks. These are made from a variety of vegetable oils. There are many advantages to using vegetable based oils from both an environmental and technical design perspective. Replacing petroleum oil with vegetable oil in printing inks utilises a renewable resource and helps conserve finite petroleum supplies. 

The most significant contributor to a printer's Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions is from the inks used on the press. Using vegetable oil reduces emissions from >30%VOC to as low as 2 - 4% VOCs. The printing press can be cleaned with a water-based cleaner, replacing a high solvent cleaner and further reducing VOC emissions. The printed product is easier to de-ink in the recycling process and results in a less hazardous sludge. 

Vegetable based inks can be cleaner and brighter, and more rub resistant than petroleum inks. They are well suited to uncoated and recycled stocks because the ink doesn't spread as much. 

Solvents are also a major source of air emissions from printers due to their volatile nature and are commonly used by printers in the inks, cleaning solutions, dampening solutions and in the film and plate processing chemicals. Ask your printer what solvents they use in their processes.

LOGISTICS

Most printers are able to provide recycled materials. Only select printers stock it regulary so most will need to order it in. You will need to check with your printer if they use vegetable based inks. Otherwise it’s only up to you to ask for this safe way of printing your promotional material.

When choosing your printer discuss with them their waste reduction policies, inks used, printing processes and solvents used.

PRINTING COSTS

Recycled paper and vegetable based inks prices are comparable in price to wood pulp papers and standard inks. Vegetable oil based inks do not cost more than petroleum-based inks.

TOP TIPS

Use recycled paper or alternative papers manufactured from waste products such as bargasse or wheat hulls.

If printing smaller sized items, ask your printer if it can be scheduled to tag onto a larger job that may have spare space on the layout. This uses stock that would otherwise be thrown away.

Use vegetable oil based inks.

Choose a printer that has a good environmental policy, uses vegetable inks and does not use alcohol-based solvents. For our 2009 festival we used Bright Print.

PRINTING SUPPLIERS

Bright Print

Phone: +61 2 9757 3000

Email: sales@brightprint.com.au

www.brightprint.com.au