Print buyers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of print. For the most part they understand that print is a more sustainable option than electronic media, but how do they decide which printing method to use? Is conventional offset more environmentally friendly than digital printing? Or is it the other way around?

A recent study commissioned by HP* has found that the carbon footprint of a digital press is substantially lower than that of an offset press. According to the research, the carbon footprint was “about 30% lower for the HP Indigo 7000 than for the offset press”; but unfortunately HP has chosen not to say which model of offset press.

A new report that examines the environmental implications of 'green' strategies for newspaper companies has just been published by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). Going Green, from the WAN-IFRA Shaping the Future of the Newspaper project, studies the impact of the daily newspaper business on the environment, from electricity consumption to paper and printing. The report show how environmental strategies create efficiency and save resources that can positively impact the environment and the newspaper's budget at the same time.

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM, MAY 17, 2010 - The Digital Print Deinking Alliance (DPDA) shared the first of a series of scientific research investigations into the deinkability of inkjet printed papers at the PTS/CTP Deinking Symposium held in Munich, Germany on April 29, 2010. In a study conducted by Centre Technique du Papier, (CTP) of Grenoble, France, a leading research organization and expert in the field of recycling technologies, inkjet prints were successfully deinked in a procedure designed to replicate a typical European mixed grade waste paper recycling system.

The Hague, The Netherlands – March 30, 2010 - Following the recently announced intensified collaboration, the leaders the world’s label industry associations (*) held their second summit at the FINAT Technical Seminar in Barcelona early this month. As a result of this meeting they unite in endorsing the industry’s commitment to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future. They also wish to support the ongoing industry measures to further reduce the environmental impact of labels, encourage more sustainable label materials and production processes. In addition they wish to help meet changing industry and customer recycling targets, and to work towards the continued reduction of label waste.

Can it really be true, as so many tree huggers believe, that pulp and paper production are major contributors to global warming?

At a UN conference in 1987, sustainability was defined as developments that “meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”. This roughly means that we should look after the planet for our children, so in the context of media, is paper-based print really so terrible? There is so much misinformation buzzing around the wires that we thought it might be useful to find out just what the paper industry is doing to protect one of the planet’s most marvellous resources.

One of the largest commercial printers in Peterborough, Classic Printers has spent the last year ensuring that its offering gives customers one of the 'greenest' experiences possible, with its most recent investment being low chemistry Brillia HD PRO-V plates from Fujifilm.

17th December, London, UK - Two Sides, the UK initiative to promote the responsible production of print and paper, today reports the continued growth of its membership and welcomes twelve new members to its campaign. Aimed at promoting awareness of the sustainability of print and paper as a 'Renewable, Recyclable and Powerful' medium, Two Sides was launched in September 2009 and involves almost 100 companies and associations spanning the Graphic Communications Supply Chain.