GREEN DETAILS AND TOUCHES..

Biodegradable & Compostable Labels

Company LabelsPlus produces biodegradable labels made from renewable and replenishable resources and are produced with a compostable adhesive.  A revolution in environmentally friendly labelling, biodegradable labels have been accredited with EN13432 (the biodegradable & compostable packaging standard).
 

Available on white semi gloss paper, unbleached paper and clear material. They can supply them as either singles or on roll and can print them in up to 9 colours, including 4 colour process.

Great Stuff. All sounds good. My design will only encompass 3colours...but I am not sure what type of ink do they use?..email was sent.

Environmental impacts of printing inks

Some of the pigments used in ink contain metallic substances which are harmful to human health and the environment such as cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury. Conventional printing inks are petroleum-based and used with alcohol-based solvents. During the process alcohol and petroleum evaporate emitting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These represent environmental pollution and a health hazard to press room workers. In terms of atmospheric pollution, VOCs react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to create ozone pollution or photochemical smog.

 

Vegetable-based inks

One solution to VOCs is the use of soya or vegetable-based inks which have lower rates of VOC emissions. Petroleum inks emit 25 to 40 percent VOCs when they dry, while rates for soya and vegetable-based inks are as low as two to four percent. Vegetable oils used in printing inks are essentially non-hazardous. Mineral oils are typically refined from crude oil which is a valuable, finite resource. Energy requirements for extraction, refining and treatment are high. In contrast vegetable oils are derived from renewable resources. Soya and vegetable based inks also benefit the environment due to greater ease of removal from wastepaper during de-inking for recycling.

Company using the above is EcoGrahic, based in Brighton. Very ETHICAL! It would be interesting and valuable to be able to visit them in the future.