 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
To read the article about environmental printing and Spectrum in the Sydney Morning Herald, see the link below..
The latest "greenwasing" tactic, no VOC printing. A lot of printers will claim that they do not emit greenhouse gases because they don't use alcohol when printing. Alcohol free printing means that alcohol is simply replaced by another chemical. It is not possible to print unless alcohol or a substitute is used (except waterless, you don't need either!). All alcohol substitutes, contrary to popular belief, are classed as VOCs (see note 1 below). The most popular substitute for alcohol is a glycol ether based solution. Sounds nasty? If you want to find out how nasty, click on the ink below
http://www.dayintl.com/index.php?ion=com_content&task=view&id=1545&Itemid=1347
Alcohol free printing! Handle with care!
Being Carbon Neutral. Spectrum is firstly a printing company that produces high quality work at a competitive price, however, the way we conduct our business is just as important. For nearly 14 years Spectrum has been way ahead of the pack providing the most environmentally preferable printing solution. It began with waterless printing; we followed that with accreditation to the highest level of environmental certification. We then offset the emissions made by our factory and office power and the emissions from our company cars. We are now taking the next step, making Spectrum printing carbon neutral. This means our clients can be assured that when it comes to their printing requirements they are not contributing to the effects of global warming. When a business makes claims about its corporate behaviour it is essential that businesses put in place policies and actions that will withstand the inevitable scrutiny. Spectrum can add to the "preservation of brand integrity".
Confused by certification? We are. The printing industry is experiencing an explosion of environmental certifications. As far as we know printers can now be certified to FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), PFSC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification) and now we have the latest one, AFSC (Australia Forest Certification Scheme). These standards are put in place to ensure that the paper used for printing is sourced from a sustainably managed forest and tracked through the supply chain to ensure it maintains an unbroken chain of custody. So what is the printer's roll in this? They buy the paper that has been specified by the client, the paper is quarantined then used to print the specific job. Any left overs are recycled. Has the printer cleaned up their act? Nope! No difference, they are still doing the same thing prior to certification. Mission accomplished, the printer has muddied the waters and confused any potential clients with claims of environmental accreditation. What is ISO 14001? Will it change what I do? It is an Environmental Management accreditation. It doesn't change the process for a less damaging method. It makes no mention of the process! Basically, if you make a mess clean it up, record what you have done and put in place activities that might stop you from doing it again.
Certification from Good Environmental Choice Australia is holistic. It includes the paper, the process, the consumables, the packaging and chain of custody for any waste products. All of these areas have to meet "worlds best practice for the environment". And it encompasses all other standards. By the way, no printer in Australia that claims low or no VOC printing has been certified to this standard.
Making an informed environmental decision. If you really have concerns about the environment, is choosing a waterless printer the best you can do? "My printer uses recycled paper and vegetable inks, isn't that enough?" Your current printer would try to convince you that it is. We say no! Print waterless and there is no need for alcohol or nasty substitutes. Waterless printing saves on paper waste and does not waste water needlessly. (Some people say that waterless printing needs large refrigerated cooling units, not true! Come and have a look). Ask your printer if they are accredited to the highest environmental standard available.
At Spectrum we never say we are "green" or "environmentally friendly". Manufacturing print damages the environment, getting up in the morning damages the environment. If you need to buy print and you are environmentally concerned, what could be better than choosing a waterless printer that only uses waterless machines? If your printer claims to be waterless, ask for a press check so you can see for yourself!
Spectrum was the first printing company in Australia to achieve the highest level of environmental accreditation available. ISO 14001 was too easy and did not require change (see latest news for the difference between our standard and 14001). Spectrum has been awarded the "Good Environmental Choice Australia" eco label, www.geca.org.au . This means that "at every step in the printing process we have to use world's best practice for the environment."
Spectrum was also the first printer in Australia to offset the emissions from the power used in the factory and the company cars. So, choose Spectrum and we will plant a tree for you! To find out how see latest news.
** SEE OUR CUSTOMERS TOTAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT, GO TO "LATEST NEWS".
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The large environmental savings made using Spectrum can be included in your companies sustainability report. Spectrum will supply a report, FREE OF CHARGE. 
Waterless allows printers to print higher ink densities - that's why Waterless printing looks much richer than conventional printing even when using the same screen rulings.
Spectrum is continually finding ways to improve it's performance in environmental areas. 
Unit 5, 12 Frederick Street St Leonards NSW 2065 Ph: 1300 13 15 66 Fax: (02) 9437 6590
