Packaging does need ink for their items. It tells you what it is, and also gives you important information. However, traditional inks and dyes are made from petroleum. This is a problem, because that is not a sustainable material. Companies are starting to use printing alternatives that are eco friendly, such as those from soy, water, and algae based types of packaging, especially if you’re someone who cares about the environment at hand.
The elements of Printing that’s Ecofriendly
Eco Friendly printing requires inks and dyes that are recyclable and biodegradable. So that, when the box is discarded, they are tossed away too. One big problem with current packaging is that a lot of the inks and dyes that are used are not sustainable. In that case, it takes more work during the recycling process, especially since it requires them to get rid of the ink first before discarding the box.
There is also the problem of sometimes you can’t, so it ends up making it so that the box is not recyclable. This is a big problem for a lot of businesses, as it means that they aren’t totally sustainable.
But, with eco-friendly inks and dyes, you reduce the chemicals that are harmful during the printing aspects and process, making it so that you’re able to, with this as well, give the most sustainable process that you can.
Reducing these chemicals means that you’re making the packaging eco-friendly, and easy to dispose of. This can mean a whole different world for some of those packaging companies that might not be able to have this otherwise.
Types of Eco Friendly Inks dc
There are some eco-friendly inks that do stand out.
Soy based ones are quite common. Soybeans, when sustainably farmed and sourced, are great for packaging elements. Already used for void fill, you can break these down to create inks.
There are also algae based inks, made from seaweed too. another sustainable material that’s great for your packaging. It is plant-based, so you will be able to dispose of it accordingly.
Finally, there is water, which is ink that’s made from water. The easiest to source and get rid of, it’s good if you want to be able to just wash off the packaging. This type of ink really comes off when you discard the box and turn it into pulp, so it’s easy to work with.
The benefits and Challenges
With plant-based inks and eco-friendly inks, you are able to lower the environmental impact. Reducing the need to use petrol for inks is important. It’s very easy to toss, and also quite sustainable too, hence why more people are using this.
The biggest challenge for these inks is the vibrancy and colors, making them last a while. While it does look good, it runs into the challenge of really lasting a while. Water based packaging ink for instance, does come off with water, which might be a problem over time.
The other problem is the costs too. it does cost a bit more to source and use these inks, which is what a lot of people struggle with using. In this instance, just creating a packaging vibrancy that stands out can be a challenge, especially when you don't want to break the bank.
The solution to this is to ask a packaging specialist about this, and to help, throughout all this, give you the packaging that’s good for quality, and also creates an impact that’s sustainable. You can make the printing eco friendly, while also not sacrificing the visuals with the right steps you implement.
