Green Printing at Copies&Ink: It’s Organic
December 1, 2008
Not just soy ink on recycled paper, but a commitment to minimal impact and sustainable processes.
This is a huge concern to all of us, and over the years Copies&Ink has taken many steps, (some at great expense) to minimize our impact on the environment. These fall into two general categories: First, reducing waste and environmental impact though our production and materials processes and second, an area that we feel is often neglected. So much so, that I recently coined a phrase to describe it:
Organic Print.
The notion of Organic Print encourage users of print to consider the Raison d’être of the materials they produce as well as their design, and the stategy behind their distribution. Each of these factors has an important potential impact on the carbon footprint of the printed piece. The industrial age economy has given way to a new paradigm based on information and innovation. Printing firms need to keep pace and let go of the idea that “more is better.”
In practical terms, that often means we ask a client to reconsider a project’s design and sometimes even whether is should be printed at all. Yes, in the short term, this can be bad for business, but in the long term it forges a stronger relationship with the client moving forward.
Target Your Printing
Print only what you need, when you need it. Tailor it to those readers most interested in your message. Today’s technology gives us the ability to target and personalize on a one-to-one basis. I believe that’s the future of print, and it’s already arrived. There’s a declining ROI in old-style mass marketing, and it’s bad for the planet.
Years ago, Copies&Ink embraced a “green” platemaking technology, which eliminated silver and corrosive chemicals from our manufacturing process. We operate “right sized” presses, which reduce waste to a minimum. We’ve eliminated incandescent lighting and installed high SEER air conditioning units.
And yes, we offer a large selection of recycled papers, many of which can be obtained at an excellent price point. For information drop us a line and ask about some green alternatives for your next project.
Definitely NOT recyclable!
August 19, 2008
Much is made of recycling and sustainable practices, and for good reason. Thankfully, many of our foods and commodities (including paper) are to some extent renewable resources. On the other hand, few people are aware that perhaps our planet’s most important resource is being systematically destroyed, with the full support of governments around the world, including our own.
In a talk entitled Fishing the Sea to Death, anthropologist and scientist Joshua Reichert explains that “People don’t mourn the loss of something they never knew existed, nor do they tend to mourn the disappearance of something they never experienced directly. They may regret its absence intellectually, but they don’t feel the loss emotionally.”
Download this talk originally broadcast on the New Dimensions radio series, and I guarantee you’ll be shocked and terrified. The sea is being devastated by commercial as well as personal interests to an extent that may never be reversible. Yes, using recycled paper and other renewable resources is a great idea, but let’s remember that even larger issues may loom outside our direct view.
10 cents worth of shampoo
July 8, 2008
How can just a few words and a single ounce of shampoo bring fortune to your company? How can saving a few pennies end up costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars?
I’m in Chicago on an extended business trip, and decided to try a new (to me) hotel chain: Extended Stay Hotels. Upon checking in (a marginal experience) I found my room to be adequate, but missing a couple of things I’ve come to expect at any hotel: shampoo and a hair dryer. One would think those necessities are provided in a place that by definition caters to business travelers.
I can put up with a room that isn’t quite clean, and even one that smells a little funny, as this one does. But to the front desk manager (well dressed lady in her 40s): please don’t admonish me to return your low end hair dryer, as if I intend to steal it. And when I ask for shampoo, (I’m here for 3 days) perhaps you could afford to give me more than one tiny 1 oz bottle?
Contrast that to my experience at optical chain Lenscrafters. I’m a long time customer of that company. Just before boarding my Chicago plane a day ago, my eyeglass frame broke. Upon arriving at my hotel, I noticed a problem with my backup glasses too. Panic began to set in!
I was the first customer to visit a Skokie, Illinois Lenscrafter store on Tuesday morning. The young clerk behind the counter quickly assessed the situation used her creativity to improvise a temporary repair for my frame, while another technician replaced a missing part in my other pair. “No charge,” I was told. “We just did what I’d expect if I were traveling and broke my glasses,” declared the 20-something employee. What a star!
Wow. That simple act cemented my customer loyalty for years to come. By the same token, my experiences at Extended Stay were equally memorable, but for different reasons. It’s not about mission statements and corporate edicts. It’s not about fancy signage alongside the interstate. It *is* about being friendly, professional and attentive when the rubber meets the road.
My new company car
June 13, 2008
In the wake of $4.59 gasoline, I can’t think of a better time to think green than right now. Maybe even better than thinking green, each of us has the power to take positive steps in the direction of renewable resources, cleaner air and a healthier life.
It’s 5 miles from my front door to my office; and 5 (mostly uphill) miles home. I do that in about 30 minutes on my old Trek bike. It can replace my workout time at the gym. And it allows my wife the use of my car, which gets far better mileage than hers. The ride clears my mind, and my clothes are fitting better too!
You’d be surprised how much territory you can cover on a bicycle, in a short amount of time. There’s a wealth of resources (in print and online) and there are great local bike shops to support your endeavor. You’ll discover a community of nice folks, in just about every walk of life. Consider cycling, and give that car or truck a day or two a week off! Work close to home. Or live close to work. You’ll gain a bundle of cash, valuable time, and peace of mind in the deal.
BTW, I’ve heard bicycle equivalent mileage figures in excess of 1000 mpg. This writer explains why vegetarians get almost twice the mileage 
