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Influence distribution and suppliers

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Influencing distribution

Avoid self adhesive labels where possible. If using them select removable aqueous emulsions

Adhesives used on labels can be water based (aqueous) or hot melt (rubber) or a combination of solvent based. Aqueous emulsions are better for the environment due to easy breakdown when recycling. As they contain no chemical additives such as a solvent they do not give off toxic substances when burnt.

There is also a choice between permanent and removable self adhesive labels. Removable labels are recommended. Permanent labels can hinder the recycling process as they are very difficult to remove from the substrate once applied.

Ask if the labels supplied conform to the European packaging laws for heavy metals and have a USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval or another country’s equivalent. Also check the paper product supplied comes from sustainable sources (see the paper section of this guide for more information).

Update mailing lists regularly

Update mailing lists regularly and target specific sectors to reduce unwanted direct mail in the waste stream. This results in less ‘return to sender’ letters and postage costs. In your mail out include a reply paid form or reply email address asking for any change in contact details.

Avoid flow wrapping

Avoid flow wrapping. Consider leaving the back page for the address and seal with a sticky label. This reduces the amount of resources required for mailing but may affect the quality of the publication as it passes through the postal system. If you are using flow wrapping ask the supplier if they recycle the offcuts as the plastic can be recycled in commercial quantities.

Overseas types of biodegradable flow wrap may be available. These may be useful but would be appropriate only if the end user composted the wrap rather than disposed of it in the landfill.

Print mailing information directly onto envelopes or brochures

This reduces the amount of materials used as sticky labels and other mailing material is not required.

Consider mailing more than one document in one envelope

If another mail out is happening at a similar time plan to put both documents in one envelope, if appropriate. This can save costs and resources.

Use reusable/resealable envelopes instead of extra envelopes

If you are asking for something to be returned use reusable, resealable envelopes instead of reply paid or extra envelopes. This reduces the amount of resources required by saving envelopes.

Influencing suppliers (designers and printers)

Designer and printer information

Ask what is being done to ensure that the designer/printer is compliant with health and safety (ie, OSH) and environmental legislation

Ask if the organisation has an OSH plan in place as required by OSH legislation. A useful resource is the OSH guide Health Safety and Environment Guide for Printing and Related Industries (PDF 1.1 MB).

Ask if the designer/printer has an environmental policy/environmental management system or an energy management policy/system

This demonstrates how seriously the organisation takes its impacts on the environment and can often save money while also reducing environmental impacts. Does the organisation have an environmental policy or environmental management system and are they measuring and reporting it? Have they had an energy audit conducted and have they acted on it? A summary of environmental management systems is available on the Ministry for the Environment website. For more on energy management in business see the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority website.

Ask what is being done to reduce the amount of solid waste to landfill

Landfills have a multitude of environmental effects such as emissions and leaching. Much of the waste going to landfill could often have been diverted to recycling or be reused elsewhere saving money and resources. A variety of practices and purchasing choices can help minimise the amount of solid waste a designer or printer sends to landfill. For example does the organisation have a recycling system and have they conducted a waste audit? For more information on reducing waste in an office see the Ministry for the Environment’s guide on reducing office waste. For information on minimising waste and environmental effects in a print shop see the Christchurch City Council guide (link below).

Ask what is being done by the designer/printer to manage and audit their supply chain

By looking at their suppliers, designers and printers can help and encourage good environmental practice. Ask if the organisation ensures the information supplied to it by suppliers is verified. Do they look at their suppliers and subcontractors environmental and social practices?

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Specific printer information

Ask if the printer is in compliant with all resource consent conditions and by-laws

All councils have trade waste bylaws and other conditions that may affect a printer’s operation. Ensure the printer is clear about their environmental effects and what local by-laws and conditions are relevant to them. Any hazardous substances used should be controlled using regulations developed by the Environmental Risk Management Authority of New Zealand (ERMA).

Ask what is being done to minimise air emissions, including VOCs, ozone depleting substances, and toxins and to reduce chemical use or discharge to sewers

These emissions to air and water have several environmental impacts on the local environment. Printers can take steps to reduce the emissions by changing the products used and practices on the shop floor.

Ask if the printer makes efforts to minimise the side effects of cleaning

Cleaning products (such as petro-chemical types) can contain some hazardous chemicals that affect printing staff and the local environment. More products are now available that clean the equipment with less adverse effects on staff and the environment. Vegetable based cleaning products can be used to clean both mineral inks and vegetable inks off a printing press. Plus they are safer on the rubber rollers (prolonging the life of the equipment). Ask your printer what they use.

Ask if the printer recycles/reuses cleaning rags, waste inks and ink containers

Recycling cleaning rags can reduce hazardous waste (preventing the waste going to landfill) and can often result in a cost saving for an organisation.

Methods of reducing ink waste include improved ordering, press management techniques and cleanup procedures. Old inks and end of line inks can often be returned to the supplier for remanufacture into black inks. This results in the diversion of the ink away from the landfill and allows the ink to be reused.

Ink containers can also be recycled into scrap metal.

Related links