Print has a complicated relationship with environmentalism. The reality is more nuanced than most think.
Print has a complicated relationship with environmentalism. A printed brochure has no ongoing energy cost — unlike a server farm running 24 hours a day.
The digital vs print myth
The global ICT sector accounts for around 2-3% of global greenhouse gas emissions — comparable to aviation. A well-made printed item has a fixed carbon cost at production and then effectively none.
Where print causes genuine harm
Virgin paper from uncertified sources, petroleum-based inks, single-use print runs, long-distance shipping and plastic lamination are the real culprits. These are all avoidable.
How to reduce the impact
Specify FSC certified paper. Ask for vegetable-based inks. Print only what you need. Choose UK suppliers. Avoid plastic lamination. Sustainable print is not significantly more expensive — it is a matter of knowing where to look.
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