Inks can spearhead a 'green' strategy

Talkback on Packaging Digest: "It might not seem that the inks within a variable-data printer on a production line can have much impact on making a manufacturer and its facility more sustainable. But a package's composition includes the ink, and that influences recycling options. There is a growing trend for managing packaging waste, called “cradle to cradle,” that strives to have a product's packaging recycled and reused, making that package more sustainable. But to do that, the manufacturer must know exactly what comprises a package before it enters the supply chain. Some [package printing] inks are even formulated for more seamless removal during the later manufacturing or recycling process."

Suppliers might help manufacturers find ways to improve employee safety by changing inks. Assessing the needs for inks can result in shifting to an ink with fewer VOCs or one that is intrinsically “safer,” which reduces the exposure of such compounds. Some printer suppliers can perform VOC emissions estimates based on consumption rates of equipment. But a supplier may also be able to consult on other improvements, such as moving a printer to a different location on a production line to reduce worker exposure to VOCs.