What is alcohol free printing? A lot of printers are using this term, what is it? In a nutshell, "greenwashing". 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 (print waterless, you don't need either!). So, what sort of chemical is used as a substitute? Glycol ethers, sounds nasty, they are. Glycol ethers have to be handled using gloves. Why? If the chemical touches the skin it gets absorbed by the body and is stored in the organs. Glycol ethers are non volatile, they don't evaporate. So where do they go when you print with them, yep, onto the paper. Alcohol free printing! Handle with care! 

Do you still keep your old mobile phones? Spectrum can now help you recycle them. At the same time you will be helping Spastic Centres and the environment. Contact us and we will send you a special envelope. All you do is put your old phone in it and post, simple. Or, drop in and see us and we will put it in our mass recycling box. Call us on 1300 13 15 66. See "latest news" section for the full story.

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 that it is. We say no! Print waterless and there is no need for alcohol or its nasty substitutes, it 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". Manufactruring 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 claims are made that your job will be printed 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".