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Printing / Publishing Industry
| General | Lithographic | Screen | Flexographic |
Printing - General
Alternatives to Petroleum- and Solvent-Based Inks (1994) - This fact sheet developed by the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) summarizes alternatives to petroleum and solvent based inks that are available for lithographic, flexographic, and gravure printing. It describes the composition of these substitute inks and some use considerations and contains an alternatives matrix that provides comparative information on each alternative, including operational, cost and quality considerations. Articles, guides and industry case studies are also listed. To obtain copy of the fact sheet, call TURI at (508) 934-3275.
P2IRIS 
- This is an interactive database developed by the Institute of Advanced
Manufacturing Sciences (IAMS) to provide process improvement and waste
reduction information. The database is organized by industry sector.
The current industry sectors covered by P2IRIS are electroplating, printing,
and metal painting.
Pollution Prevention in Printing: A Manual for Technical Assistance
Providers - (1997. $30.00) This manual was developed by the Northeast
Waste Management Official's Association to provide detailed information
for technical assistance providers on the printing industry. To order,
call 617-367-8558 or email neppr@tiac.net.
Printing Compliance Assistance Tools - There are several general compliance assistance tools available for the printing industry. Although the purpose of these documents is to increase the understanding of environmental regulations affecting printers, they do contain some pollution prevention information. Of particular note, is the Printers' National Environmental Assistance which offers satellite and on-location training, compliance guides for state/federal regulations and two-email discussion groups on technical and regulatory issues. In addition, EPA has developed a profile of the printing industry and a technical assistance directory for NYC printers. For more information on these compliance assistance tools, please call Deborah Meyer at (212) 637-3521 or email her at meyer.deborah@epa.gov.
Lithographic Printing
Environmental
Compliance Pollution Prevention Guide for Lithographic Printers
(1997. free) This guide was developed by New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, Pollution Prevention Unit to help small
and medium sized lithographic printers better manage their hazardous
wastes and includes proven pollution prevention strategies that will
save printers money as well as reduce their environmental liabilities.
Environmental
Self-Assessment of Lithographic Printers
(1997. free) This is a quick and easy checklist of pollution prevention
developed by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
Pollution Prevention Unit. It will help the small commercial printer
assess its present performance in preventing pollution and identify
opportunities for additional pollution prevention measures.
Solutions
for Lithographic Printers: An Evaluation of Substitute Blanket Washes
- (1997. free) This booklet was designed to help printers evaluate their
current blanket wash and compare it to substitute blanket washes. How
safe are they to use? How do they perform? How much do they cost to use?
What are their environmental risks.
Lithography
DfE Project Case Study #1 - Managing Solvents and Wipes
(1995. free) This study describes a successful pollution reduction program
at the John Roberts Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In particular,
this case study illustrates how a self-audit of solvents used in printing
operations led to the substitution of more environmentally appropriate
solvents, how the use of a centrifuge to extract solvents from industrial
wipes prior to laundering resulted in reduced solvent in the laundry's
wastewater, and how this company saved money through its efforts to use
safer solvents and reduce waste.
Lithography
DfE Project: Case Study #2 - Pollution Prevention at Custom Print
(1996. free) This case study highlights the pollution prevention activities
in one print shop. Specifically, it shows how constant attention to pollution
prevention can save money while reducing the environmental impact of your
business, how teamwork among employees, vendors, and chemical suppliers
can lead to successful prevention, and how looking at the big picture,
not just a meeting regulations and cleaning up spills, can point out more
ways to prevent pollution. Tambien disponible En Espaņol
Lithography
DfE Project Bulletin #1 - Substitute Blanket Washes: Making them Work
(1996. Free) One of the largest sources of air pollution in lithographic
print shops is the blanket washes used to clean the blankets on the press.
New substitute blanket washes are available that are safer for workers
and the environment, and can result in lower costs for printers. This
bulletin aims to help press operators, shop managers, and environmental
compliance managers make these new products work for them. Tambien disponible
En Espaņol.
Lithography
DfE Project Bulletin #2 - Workplace Practices Make the Difference
(1996. Free) The activities described in this bulletin are the most popular
workplace practices that reduced chemical usage among 206 lithographers
surveyed. Tambien disponible En Espaņol.
Lithography
DfE Project Bulletin #3 - Vegetable Ester Blanket Washes
(1996. Free) Through a series of product trials, 22 commercially available
blanket washes were evaluated for their performance, cost, and environmental
and health characteristics. Then each wash was categorized based on its
chemical makeup. This bulletin highlights one category of these blanket
washes: vegetable esters. Tambien disponible En Espaņol.
Lithography
DfE Project Bulletin #4 - A Worksheet to Help you Choose a Better Wash
(1996. Free) The worksheet contained in this bulletin can help a printer
compare blanket wash options and thus choose the best wash for his company.
Tambien disponible En Espaņol.
Screen Printing
Designing
Solutions for Screen Printers: An Evaluation of Screen Reclamation Systems
(1996. Free) EPA, in partnership with the screen printing industry, identified
and evaluated screen reclamation procedures, products, and technologies
that can help screen printers do their job in the most cost effective
manner.
P2/Finance for Screen Printers ( 1998. free) - is an easy to use investment planning software specifically created for screen printers. P2/Finance helps you evaluate many different investments and choose those that will work best for your shop. This software helps you simplify pollution prevention decisions, such as when you should switch to a less hazardous chemical, add a new press or dryer, or increase ventilation. P2/Finance also allows you to tailor your analysis to the demands of a particular project.
Video: Saving Money, Reducing Waste (1997, SGIA member/Gov't Agency $25.00, others $35.00). This 15-minute video program is a result of a cooperative effort between the Screenprinting and Graphic Imaging Associations International and the New Jersey Small Business Development Center with funding from the U.S. EPA and U.S. SBA. The video shows screen printers how to prevent pollution and minimize waste through improved inventory control procedures, reduced chemical use, work practice changes and employee training.
Video: Pollution Prevention at Action Graphics, Inc. (1996. Free) This 17-minute video focuses on one printer's efforts to prevent pollution and reduce risks to workers. Specifically, the video shows how the company eliminated the need for an ink remover in the screen cleaning process and, and greatly reduced its use of other solvents.
Screen
Printing DfE Project Case Study #1 - Reducing the use of Reclamation Chemicals
in Screen Printing - (1995. free) This study describes the
successful pollution reduction program at Romo Incorporated, a screen
printer in De Pere, Wisconsin. In particular, this case study shows how
a self audit of ink remover products used in screen cleaning lead to the
substitution of more environmentally appropriate solvents at press side
and how using a still to recover and reuse ink cleaning solvent saved
the company money. Tambien disponible En Espaņol.
Screen
Printing DfE Project Case Study #2 - Changing Equipment and Reducing Solvent
Use in Screen Reclamation - (1996. Free) This case study
describes a successful pollution prevention program at Action Graphics,
a commercial printer in Louisville, Kentucky, that took the initiative
to minimize risks to workers and the environment. Specifically, this case
study shows how the need for ink remover can be eliminated by reclaiming
screen immediately after a print run, using a high pressure water system,
and switching to more effective, safe emulsion and haze remover products.
In addition, it shows how the quantity of solvent used during the printing
process can be greatly reduced by finding more efficient solvents and
reusing rags. Tambien disponible En Espaņol.
Screen
Printing DfE Project Case Study #3 - Innovations in Adhesives, Screen
Cleaning, and Screen Reclamation (1996. Free) This case
study describes how T.S. Designs, a textile screen printer in Burlington,
North Carolina, used initiative and creativity to prevent pollution at
its facility. Specifically, it shows how water-based adhesives can effectively
replace solvent-based adhesive in the textile printing process and how
solvent use can be drastically reduced by reusing chemicals in enclosed
screen cleaning and reclamation tanks. Tambien disponible En Espaņol
Screen
Printing DfE Project Bulletin #1 - Technology Alternatives for Screen
Reclamation (1996. Free) This bulletin describes three alternative
screen reclamation technologies - high pressure screen washing, automatic
screen washing, and spraying with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). All
three technologies are discussed, along with their health and environmental
risks, performance differences, and costs. Tambien disponible En Espaņol
Screen
Printing DfE Project Bulletin #2 - Smarter, Safer Screen Reclamation Alternative
System Epsilon (1996. Free) This bulletin highlights one
of the alternative screen reclamation systems tested in the Screen Printing
Project. The Epsilon System includes an ink remover, emulsion remover,
and haze remover. All three components are discussed, and the entire system
is evaluated for its performance, health and environmental risks, and
costs. Tambien disponible En Espaņol.
Screen
Printing DfE Project Bulletin # 3 - Work Practice Alternatives for Screen
Reclamation (1996. Free) This bulletin describes simple
changes in screen reclamation work practices that have resulted in significant
reductions in costs, environmental impact and worker exposures. Tambien
disponible En Espaņol
Screen
Printing DfE Project Bulletin # 4 - Smarter, Safer Screen Reclamation
Alternative System Chi (1996. Free) This bulletin highlights
another alternative screen reclamation system tested in the Screen Printing
Project. The Chi System includes an ink remover, emulsion remover, and
haze remover. All three components are discussed, and the entire system
is evaluated for its performance, health and environmental risks, and
costs. Tambien disponible En Espaņol.
Flexographic Printing
Flexography
DfE Project Case Study #1 - Reducing VOCs in Flexography
(1997. Free) This case study highlights the experience of one wide-web
flexographic printer that successfully reduced volatile organic compound
emissions and hazardous waste by switching inks. In particular, this case
study shows how a water-based ink system and water-based cleaning procedure
can reduce emissions, hazardous wastes, operating costs, and worker health
risks and how the printer overcame challenges to print successfully with
water-based inks. Tambien disponible En Espaņol.
Flexography
DfE Project Case Study #2 - Learning From Three Companies That Reduced
VOC Emissions (1997. Free) This case study presents the
steps that three wide web flexographic printers took to reduce VOC emissions.
In particular, this case study presents the factors considered in management
decisions and how the decisions were implemented and the two methods tried:
switching to water-based inks, and installing an oxidizer.Tambien disponible
En Espaņol
Video: Inside Flexo: A Cleaner Run for the Money (1998. Free ) This 19 minute video provides useful tips to flexographic printers for working more efficiently and saving money, while improving the environment. Veteran printers share their success stories in the following areas: (1) managing inks efficiently, (2) printing successfully with alternative inks, (3) making the best use of press return inks, (4) using new cleaning methods that improve efficiency, and (5) improving the bottom line through sound environmental practices.
