How do your printing projects fit with your carbon footprint reduction? If you are like millions of other Americans, you are taking steps to reduce energy use, reduce the amount of carbon emissions you produce, and reduce the amount of natural resources you use. That is why eco-friendly printing is a good strategy to complement your action-plan to help the environment.

Eco-friendly printing, or “green” printing, encompasses many facets, and one of the main strategies of green printing is using recycled paper. But there are many debates about using recycled paper. Here are some thoughts about why you should use recycled paper.

Using Recycled Paper Does Make a Difference

Many people debate whether using recycled paper is actually helpful for the environment. The fact is that using recycled paper can make a significant impact toward protecting the environment.

Green printing on recycled paper reduces that amount of trees needed to produce new paper stock. This saves our forests, a precious natural resource we need for producing the oxygen we breathe.

Additionally, using recycled paper on your eco-friendly printing projects reduces the amount of energy and waste produced in processing. New paper requires 60 percent more water in the manufacturing process. Using post-consumer materials helps reduce the amount of waste water during the processing, and it reduces the amount of air pollutants by 73 percent. Additionally, recycled paper saves up to 70 percent of the energy needed to manufacture paper from raw materials.

Green printing not only helps the environment during the processing, but it also saves landfill space. Every ton of paper that is recycled saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space.

Americans are on a strong road to using recycled paper. By 2007, we recovered 56 percent of all the paper consumed in America, and the paper industry has set a goal of 60 percent by 2012.

Your Customers and Clients Will Notice

People are noticing when recycled paper is used – and decision-makers are also taking note of who uses recycled paper and performing eco-friendly printing. The best way to show your commitment to the environment is to use 100% recycled paper and print a small line on your paper that says so.

Your efforts to perform eco-friendly printing are a big contribution toward improving the environment. Do your part and use recycled paper for all your printing needs.

Businesses like yours need printing jobs performed on a regular basis. And most likely you live in a location with access to a host of local printers. But why should you choose a local printer over online printers? Here are two good reasons for choosing local Southern California printing services.

The Economy

When you buy printing products from a local vendor, you directly help your local economy. The global economic crisis which began in 2007 has affected many small businesses throughout the country. Most likely, your local print shops are locally owned and operated, and they are not immune to the adverse effects of a down economic climate.

It helps your business when your local economy thrives. So why not take the initiative and keep local monies right in your community?

Your local Orange County printing companies are set up to easily perform frequent print jobs, and you may be surprised at how little money you actually save by ordering a frequent print job online.

Business cards are a good example. The cost difference for a box of business cards between an online printer and your local printer is usually offset by the shipping costs. Why not keep that money local, and even save money, by choosing a local Southern California printing company?

The Environment

Employing your local printer means reducing carbon emissions that result from shipping printed goods across the country.  Imagine how many millions of miles and tons of pollution could be eliminated if printing projects were not shipped from New York to California!

In addition, f you look around your local community, you will likely find a printer who employs good and responsible environmental practices. What does an “environmental” printing company do? Here are some examples:

Recycled paper – Paper is a natural resource that is limited.  The good environmental practice is to recycle used and discarded paper so it can be re-used again. A responsible local Orange County printing company will have a large stock of recycled and post-consumer paper to choose from for your printing needs.

Natural products – Besides recycled paper, other environment-saving materials include vegetable-based inks, sugar cane paper, non-toxic toners, chlorine-free paper, and other natural materials.

Reduced carbon footprint – Many Southern California printing companies are engaging in methods that reduce their “carbon footprint.” One way is to use energy-saving devices, and even utilize electricity generated from solar, wind, or water sources.

There are many advantages to using a local Orange County printing company, but helping the economy and the environment are two major benefits. Take these into consideration when you choose your next printing job.