Eco-friendly stationery for the green business

Being green and environmentally-friendly is something we can take into the workplace too. By using eco-conscious business stationery and marketing literature, you are not only doing your bit for the planet but also showing current and, more importantly, potential customers that your company takes its environmental responsibility seriously. More businesses are making ethical buying decisions and this is a great way to show your green credentials whilst minimising the environmental impact of your work.

Why use recycled paper?

There are three main reasons to use recycled fibre:

• Reduced resource use: Paper manufacture is very resource-intensive. Why use paper only once, when it can can easily be reused?
• Less landfill: Recycling reduces the amount of waste paper going to landfill.
• Save our forests: Be sure that you and your suppliers use 100% recycled paper so you know that your product has not caused more trees to be chopped down.

If you're concerned about the colour of recycled paper materials, you'll be pleased to hear that things have greatly improved and gone are the days of dirty yellow recycled stocks.

Why use vegetable-based printing inks?

Vegetable-based inks use vegetable oil instead of petroleum and have much lower rates of VOC (volatile organic compounds) than petroleum-based inks. VOCs are a major source of ozone pollution and are a potential a health hazard to those working with them. By buying products using vegetable-based inks your business is helping to reduce air pollution by minimizing toxic emissions . Also, in contrast to petroleum based inks, vegetable oils are derived from renewable resources and the inks made from them are more easily removed from waste paper during de-inking.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and recycled logos

To advertise your commitment to the environment and stand out from your competitors you can have the FSC and recycled logo placed on your letterhead and compliment slip. This is a simple way to show your customers that you do that bit extra for the environment but without compromising on quality.

Green stationery and printing suppliers

You could try:

UK

• Moo – the online corporate stationery company offer a range of eco-conscious products including green square business cards which are printed using 100% biodegradable and recyclable  paper that's made using wind power and FSC certified. 25% off all printed products*, including Business Cards, MiniCards and brand new Square Business Cards until 11.59PM BST on September 30th 2014.
• Easy Green Print – as well as offering the intriguing Rhino-poo paper, they also offer wide selection of recycled printing papers and you can order a free sample pack. They also have a whole heap of awards and accreditation including a world first with their closed-loop Zero-Waste to Landfill status and winning the Queen's Award for Sustainable Development twice. Products includes business cards, brochures, leaflets, flyers and posters.
• eco print (Addison design) – They sound impressive offering their customers sustainability, recycled paper, energy efficient low temperature digital imaging, chemical free platemaking, vegetable litho ink, carbon free delivery, ethical banking and all sorts of eco accessories like corn starch display bags, corn starch window envelopes, recycled labels, bio media cassette banners and display graphics.
• Gemini Press – provide environmentally friendly green printing services backed by a series of environmental credentials that allow them to work under the “Green Printing Label”.

US

• Green Printer – they have an online Green Printer Calculator which will calculate the number of trees you have saved, the amount of greenhouse gases and wastewater prevented, as well as the amount of energy conserved.

Have you used any of these suppliers? If so, what did you think of their services? Or can you recommend any other companies?

Photo: William Arthur