Sustainable Design Is Easy
Think less waste. Think less toxicity. Think less energy consumption. Listed below are a few guidelines for planning your design projects sustainably.
Raw Materials
- Specify recycled papers with a high post-consumer recycled content
- Consider tree-free papers (cotton, kenaf, and other fibers)
- Identify the recycled content in your finished pieces to inform your audience
- Use paper that has been bleached with a chlorine-free process
- Ask your printer to use soy-based and vegetable-based inks
Design Process
- Design for recycleability, e.g. minimizing ink coverage in design concepts reduces toxic waste from the de-inking process when the piece gets recycled
- Proof as long as possible onscreen in .pdf format
- Inquire about your printer's commitment to environmental stewardship
- Be aware of the impositioned layout of your project on the press sheet to eliminate wasted paper
Further Considerations
- Become aware of the energy consumed and waste produced in the manufacture of raw materials you require
The Office
- Close the recycling loop by purchasing office products with recycled content
- Recycle your ink cartridges and your office scrap paper
- Conserve electricity