Printers
Printers have been faced with increasing environmental pressures for many years. During the printing process, from pre-press through to the finishing stages, a number of chemicals are used. This results in the generation of waste dangerous goods, liquid effluent and air emissions. The industry also has to deal with the disposal of large amounts of paper and packaging waste.
In recent years pressure from government , industry associations, and the general public has resulted in many positive environmental changes in the printing sector throughout North America. Advances in electronic image processors & computerized processes have revolutionized the way the industry operates and resulted in less waste generated. Printing is a high-volume, low-margin industry. Small savings in the cost of production can have a substantial impact on the bottom line.
In May of 1999, The Atlantic Green Printing Project was launched to assist printers to evaluate their current practices and identify opportunities for environmental improvement and reductions in operating costs. This region- wide project is a collaboration between the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Printing Industry Associations, Environment Canada, Nova Scotia Department of Environment, The Eco-Efficiency Centre In Burnside and The Halifax Regional Municipality.
Many of the project resources are provided here including the Green Printer Checklist, The Pollution Prevention Guide for Printers in Atlantic Canada and a number of useful internet resources.
- Pollution Prevention for the Printing Industry (PDF: 242k)
- Pollution Prevention Guide for Printers in Atlantic Canada (PDF: 15.8mb)
- Internet Resources for Printers
