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GREEN is the marketing theme of the year, but to us here at Whitman Communications, it's more than just a buzzword. It's not just recycling paper, or using eco-friendly inks. It means procurring a better future for our children. That's why we try to take an eco-friendly approach to all our operations by minimizing waste, complying with Forest Stewardship Council standards to help preserve forests and keeping abreast of the latest in green printing methods. So how can you make your printing more eco-friendly? Although we follow FSC standards, there is still no official standard, and ultimately it relies on your printer to make the choice to be environmentally friendly. In general, an environmentally minded printer should:
Here are some questions to ask your printer before you go to press:1. Can this job be printed on paper that contains a high percentage of post-consumer recycled fiber? The answer will usually be yes. Whitman Communications will help you determine which product will best suit your print needs while lowering the environmental impact. With advances in recycling technology, it's become hard to tell the difference between recycled and non-recycled paper. As an FSC Certified printer, we have practical knowledge about the characteristics and advantages of different types of recycled paper. Don't accept "Yeah, we can use recycled paper" as an answer. Let us help you make a well informed decision on environmentally friendly printing. 2. Can it be printed with low-polluting, low-VOC inks? Chances are we will print it using an environmentally friendly ink. Our standard inks that we use are vegetable based, have an extremely low VOC count (less than 3% by EPA Method 24) and contain 60%+ bio-derived, renewable and sustainable raw materials. For 90% of jobs, soy- or vegetable-based inks work just as well. We avoid inks containing heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury and are ready to help suggest environmentally conscious alternatives. 3. What can be done to improve the recyclability of my print job? Coatings, glues, laminates, inks, foils, adhesives, labels, and paper type can all affect the recyclability of a printed document. Our recycling process involves organizing our waste based on its recyclability, and we can offer you tips and alternatives on creating a beautiful piece with low environmental impact.
What can you do to help?
Understanding Recycled PaperThis symbol means that the product is made from material that has been used before. If there is no qualifying statement (ex. "60% post consumer recycled content"), then the symbol means the product is 100% recycled.
"Recycled paper" does not mean it is 100% recycled paper, it only means there is some recycled content. Amount of recycled content could range from 100 percent (entirely recycled paper !) to 1 percent. Look for the recycled symbol and see if there is more specific information beside it. This is where you should find the amount of recycled content. The more "post-consumer" recycled content the better. ![]() Forest Stewardship Council We here at Whitman try to keep in mind the recycler's mantra:"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle". If we all stick with these three steps, we are doing good by the forests. Reduce
Reuse
Recycle
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