recycling

In our previous blog post, we explored how printed publications are an indispensable part of any effective communications strategy and how magazines are often used as a positive marketing tool, handed out and shared at every opportunity to increase engagement and generate interest. However, sustainability is also a big concern for organisations large and small, and businesses are seeking ways to highlight their messages through their printed materials as well as maintain their environmental credentials.

At Designworld, we are always exploring the ways our services and resulting solutions can be sustainable, from initial design concepts right through to distribution and end of product life.

Here though, we focus on some of the innovative ways we help our clients incorporate eco-friendly approaches into their magazine production and printed materials.

Recycled materials

We always aim to work with local printers and suppliers to source paper and packaging materials with minimal environmental impact and a lighter carbon footprint, choosing environmentally certified and recycled papers from accredited sustainable sources. We prefer to use printers who have an environmental management system in place and are able to supply a great variety of recycled materials, all delivering excellent quality as well as green credentials for your project and organisation.

At Designworld, we are also able to advise on the impact various materials and print finishing can have on a products ability to be recycled, helping our clients make the best decisions for their project as well as their environmental responsibilities.

Print with vegetable-based inks

Our printers now use environmentally friendlier inks made using vegetable and soy-based products. As well as being more sustainable, they don’t cost any more than the traditional inks made from petroleum or mineral oil. They are also safer as they avoid releasing large amounts of VOC’s as they are drying.

The quality of these inks is just as high as their petroleum-based counterparts and they are also easier to remove from paper and other materials during recycling’s deinking process meaning less energy is required at this stage.

Compostable envelopes and packaging

Many of our clients use our mailing and fulfilment services when distributing their magazines, newsletters and other printed communications. This is another area where we offer and encourage environmentally friendly solutions and work with mailing house partners who have a sound environmental policy in place.

We provide a variety of biodegradable and compostable options for mailings and packaging made from renewable corn/potato starch or cellulose that offer a green alternative to polypropylene and other non-recyclable materials. What’s more, these solutions offer a very visual statement to your audience about your environmental responsibility and credentials.

If you’d like to give your communications more environmental credibility, get in touch with us and we can work with you to deliver sustainable solutions for your design and print projects. Contact either Louise or Ceri – we’d love to hear from you and talk over your project.