Flexographic printers have to deal with a number of factors that affect environmental pollution. Materials used in the packaging printing process, such as Printing inks and solvents, can be harmful to the environment and people if the company does not follow proper standards, waste management procedures, or they are used but in the wrong way. EU and national environmental regulations govern what can and cannot be done with post-production waste. Regulations govern what types of waste should be controlled, stored, recovered and treated or disposed of. Their size and type depends largely on the technologies used in the printing plant, the type of raw materials and materials used, storage methods, work organization, or production volume.
Pollution prevention is the maximum reduction of the amount and toxicity of materials used during the production process. Reducing waste and pollution is the most desirable and effective measure any printing company should consider. This can be done through simple solutions like a leak-proof sewage tank to prevent leaks, or more complex ones like changing production technology to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
Often, choosing the right solution or technology like water-based flexo plate processing technologies, choosing less harmful solvents/solvents can help reduce environmental pollution and minimize the risk of not meeting environmental laws and regulations. Responsible business means being fully aware of the environmental impact of production activities and making effective attempts to reduce it. So it is worth taking even the smallest step to reduce waste.
Why reduce waste at a label and packaging printer?
Every printing plant generates harmful waste, which it must safely and legally manage. And it costs a lot! Let's remember that once we have paid no small amount of money for the production materials we throw away. By reducing the amount of waste we produce, we can significantly reduce costs. It is cost reduction that is the most important factor motivating printers to reduce waste and the environmental impact of production.
Waste reduction is:
- A more friendly and informed work environment.
- Greater worker safety.
- Less risk.
- Higher productivity.
- Competitiveness - customers are increasingly paying attention to the eco-standards of their suppliers.
- Compliance with regulatory requirements.
- More effective environmental protection.
- Benefits associated with increased corporate image and CSR.
What measures are worth considering and implementing to reduce waste?
There are many ways to reduce waste in flexo printing plants. Here's a list of best practices to consider and implement that will reduce the environmental impact of production:
- Making sure that all work areas are always clean and well organized.
- Using collection vessels and splash guards wherever spills are possible.
- Immediate repair of emerging leaks.
- Buying materials in the quantities that are actually needed. Optimizing inventory with the idea that any excess can turn into waste and re-cost.
- Buying the largest practical in use container. Paint, solvent or chemical packaging always end up as waste.
- Buying the least toxic or environmentally hazardous materials that are available on the market. Carefully checking the safety and safety data sheets of the formulation or material the printer is buying. If a product is toxic or harmful, it is worth asking the supplier for a less harmful substitute.
- The oldest materials should be used up first (golden rule: first-in, first-out).
- If your print shop has unneeded or excess materials, it's worth checking to see if they can be returned to the supplier or resold.
- Always consider disposal costs when making purchasing decisions. What looks like the cheapest option may cost more due to the cost of safe storage and disposal.
- Store production materials in such a way as to minimize the possibility of damage to them.
- Inspect storage areas regularly for any damage to packaging or leaks.
- All materials must be clearly labeled. Always store products in their original containers!
- Waste should be segregated and stored separately. Containers should be properly labeled to facilitate disposal or recycling.
- Store materials that may leak in areas where leaks can be easily seen and contained.
- It's worth making a list of the waste in your print shop, and then try to find ways to reduce or eliminate it. For example, swap harmful solvent for water-based technology and mild, environmentally safe detergents. Change CtF technology to CtP. Computer-to-plate technology has eliminated negatives, silver and other chemicals from the prepress process and has dramatically improved the efficiency of many flexo printers. Waste has been significantly reduced and media consumption reduced.
- It is worthwhile to analyze the modern production technologies currently used in the industry from prepress to postpress. You can easily count the cyclical costs of recycling, purification, recovery and consider the purchase of new machinery or equipment that will definitely reduce the environmental impact of production, reduce the use of harmful materials and reduce disposal costs.
- Automation of selected processes - such as washing plates after printing or washing aniloxes definitely reduces the use of water, specialized detergents and extends the life of plates. Remember that any photopolymer plate damaged in the manual washing process/ which very often happens/ becomes expensive waste.
- It is worth introducing regular quality control procedures/anilox inspection, plates, proofs/. This will definitely reduce unnecessary reprints that generate additional waste and costs.
- You also need to build employee awareness of the issue and implement regular training on procedures, their application and internal controls.
Nature knows neither reward nor punishment, it only knows consequences.
R.Ingersoll
