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 Español

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 Español.

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 Español.

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 Español.

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 Español.

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 Español.

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 Español.

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 Español

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 Español

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 Español.

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 Español

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 Español.

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 Español.

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 Español

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.

P2 resources | P2 programs and projects | Compliance Incentive Policies

LocalNavigation

Printing / Publishing Industry

Printing - General

Lithographic Printing

Screen Printing

Flexographic Printing