Blackwell Print | The UK's Ethical Printer

We are often asked how “green” our production process is - so here are the “answers” to some of your frequently asked questions...

Bearing in mind that environmental issues and arguments are not straightforward; For instance, the amount of energy used in de-inking and re-manufacturing so-called “recycled” paper can have a greater overall effect on the environment than using properly managed virgin pulp.

All our paper and board (card) is either Elemental Chlorine Free or Totally Chlorine Free. Chlorine is one of the most common bleaching agents and is what gives most household bleaches their unique smell. Chlorine was traditionally used to make the naturally creamy wood pulp whiter. Chlorine however damages the environment - especially in the concentrations required for the paper manufacturing process. All major paper manufacturers have changed to other methods of bleaching – generally using oxygen. This has less of a direct impact and the manufacture of the oxygen itself uses less energy – another benefit.

All our paper and board comes from paper manufacturers who use pulp from “managed forests” and who are registered to ISO14001. These are forests that are grown specifically for pulp making for paper. Most informed people consider that his is no different to farming cereal crops for food production. The trees used are still beneficial to the environment and new trees (generally two-for-one) are planted in their place when felling takes place.

All litho four colour work is printed using vegetable based inks and coated (where required) using a water-based varnish. Neither has any petro-chemical content. “Plastic” lamination or encapsulation is only used as a requested operation by you, the customer. You may therefore make your own decision on this.

We create very little hazardous waste. Our suppliers collect the small amount that requires special treatment to ensure strict compliance to the Hazardous Waste Act 2005. All our off-cuts of paper are collected for re-cycling. You can encourage the use of this type of waste by buying your eggs in paper mache cartons instead of plastic and using brown paper bags. An over simplification perhaps, but you get the picture!

Buying Digital print gives you the opportunity to only have precisely what you need. Less waste - less cost - less environmental impact!

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