Sustainability and the environment have become important considerations for many businesses, Core included.  One of the biggest ways that Core is looking to reduce its impact upon the environment is by examining the printing process of our clients’ marketing materials.

When it comes to printing, there are a number of activities surrounding the process which have come under fire for their effect on the environment. From the paper to the ink, there is an increasing awareness of the adverse environmental effects of printing.

At Core, we offer our clients eco-friendly alternatives to conventional printing methods. Recycled paper stock comes in different grades, from mixed sources to 100% recycled. Our favourite is 100% recycled ‘revive pure uncoated’ which we use for printing The Mix, MiniMix and The Guide for Brindleyplace, which you can register to receive here.  This type of uncoated recycled paper is a popular choice at the moment with designers and printers so pick up a copy of The Mix if you’re in Brindleyplace and take a look for yourself.

“At Core, we offer our clients eco-friendly alternatives to conventional printing methods”

There’s no denying that recycled papers are a much higher grade than in previous years, so much so that it is often difficult to tell the difference between recycled and virgin paper stock.  With the quality of recycled papers now vastly improved, the next step will be for recycled paper to become standard.

Printers can be accredited by the FSC (Forestry Steward Council), which means the forests from which they obtain their paper are controlled and well managed. Similarly, there is also the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) scheme which works to protect the forests. Schemes such as these enable us to choose products from socially responsible and economically viable forestry on behalf of our clients.  An increasing number of printers hold these accreditations, which helps both the environment and the CSR credentials of their clients. However, these certificates can only go so far and there will no doubt be a point in the future where the whole process, including delivery, is assessed.

“With the quality of recycled papers now vastly improved, the next step will be for recycled paper to become standard”

One area of printing which still poses a problem is that of the ink used. Traditional petroleum-based ink can harm the environment during the production process as well as during recycling. This can lead to harmful chemicals being filtered into soil and water, and paper must be deinked before it can be recycled. Vegetable and water based inks are becoming more popular, with soy ink seemingly in the lead with its low volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). Sustainable, efficient and cost effective, many magazines are now printed using soy ink. Core uses environmentally friendly inks and sealers and recommend them wherever possible.

Here at Core we’re working with our clients and suppliers to raise awareness of the sustainable printing options available. However, it’s only when these processes become standard that we can rest assured that the environment has truly taken centre stage.