Strategies For "Less Paper" Meetings

STRATEGIES FOR “LESS-PAPER” EVENTSMinimize Paper Use & Source Materials Responsibly

John Borg, Foundereco imprints / San Franciscoecoimprints.com / 415.558.8839 / @ecoimprints

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

WHY CARE ABOUT PAPER USE?

The pulp and paper industry is single largest consumer of water used in industrial activities, paper production consumes massive amounts of energy and creates pollution.

Paper fills up to 35% of all American landfills.

An estimated 90% of the world’s global paper use is made using virgin fiber.

Trees are a critical part of our ecosystem.

Deforestation threatens species & contributes to global warming.

Paper consumption is actually RISING by about 20% per year.

Sources: Environmental Defense Fund, Green Seal, U.S. EPA, OECD Environmental Outlook


Use your event planning and spending power to save trees and help mainstream more sustainable materials and greener ways of thinking:

PLAN GREEN

PRINT GREEN

EXHIBIT GREEN


TIPS FOR PLANNING A GREENER EVENT:

Use Common sense to reduce waste before it starts. Print only when you have to.

Make minimizing paper use a priority from the start, so you can plan accordingly.

Use electronic communications and post materials online.

Work with graphic designers who know how to cut back on paper use.

Design materials that result in less waste.

PLAN GREEN


TIPS FOR PLANNING A GREENER EVENT:

Reduce or eliminate printed event agendas or programs. Post online and consider USB drives, digital printing, or print on demand at event.

Reduce the size of session handouts and/or make them available online.

Partner with green-focused suppliers.

Buy local to reduce fuel use and delivery costs and support the local economy.

Engage attendees to support your paper reduction and greening efforts.

PLAN GREEN


CHOOSE GREENER PRINTERS WHO:

Offer at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled content paper.

Offer paper products that are certified by FSC or SFI.

Offer non-petroleum-based vegetable or soy inks, low in VOCs.

Use technology to streamline operations and optimize efficiency.

Minimize chemical use in printing.

Offer digital printing services.

Have a written sustainability policy or have earned a green business certification.

Use renewable energy to run or offset their operations.

PRINT GREEN


PRINT GREENTIPS FOR GREENER PAPER & PRINTING:

Buy certified papers. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) are the most frequently sited for paper goods.

Buy minimum 30 percent post consumer recycled content. Buy non-chlorine bleached paper to keep Dioxins out of the environment.

Large offset print jobs can be wasteful, so consider less harmful digital printing on smaller runs of 1,000 sheets or less.

For larger run offset printing, use soy inks, and UV printing.

Gang printing projects together to maximize efficiency and save money.

Print details on green printing specifications on each piece to show leadership.


TIPS FOR GREENER EVENT EXHIBITS & SIGNAGE:

Avoid single use signs, virgin paper products, and single-use products.

Switch from nonrenewable or hazardous materials to environmentally preferable materials.

Use renewable, recycled or recyclable materials in all components.

Avoid conventional foam core signage and Styrofoam packing materials.

Use lightweight multi-use booths and accessories .

Use fabrics to create large spaces that are light and compact.

Choose items that can easily be taken apart at the end of their useful life to be reused or recycled.

EXHIBIT GREEN


Use practical promotional giveaways made of recycled, organic, biodegradable, sustainable, or ethically-sourced materials.

Use eco-friendly packaging and shipping techniques.

Donate or recycle leftovers and waste.

Make sure well-marked recycling containers are placed prominently.

Post small signs to remind attendees to reduce, reuse & recycle

EXHIBIT GREEN


Breaks down in landfill 3-5 years without emitting toxic content.

Does not release toxins like Chlorine.

Oil and chemical resistant. Resists sunlight and rain.

80% non-petroleum based material.

Indoor & Outdoor applications.

BIODEGRADABLE VINYL BANNERS

ECO EVENT MATERIALS


Greener alternative to Styrofoam boards (which are rarely recycled). Will biodegrade 9 months to 5 years in landfill (instead of 500 years).

Economical and excellent dimensional stability.

Faced with smooth white SFI-certified paper.

Indoor and short-term outdoor applications.

BIO STYRENE

ECO EVENT MATERIALS


Excellent alternative to Styrofoam boards for UV and inkjet printing. Recyclable in most municipal waste streams.

Honeycomb core made of recycled kraft paper & organic adhesives.

Lightweight, very high strength-to-weight ratio. 1/4” & 1/2” thickness.

Indoor use only.

HONEYCOMB FIBER BOARD

ECO EVENT MATERIALS


Alternative to rigid PVC board substrate, 3/32” thick

Made from 50% recycled material and fully recyclable Free from PVC, Phthalates and Chlorine

Indoor or short-term outdoor applications

RIGID BIOBOARD

ECO EVENT MATERIALS


Alternative to Styrofoam boards or virgin paper for UV and inkjet printing. 100% Recyclable and made from recycled material.

Great value.

Good for short-term quantity projects.

Indoor use.

RECYCLED PAPERBOARD

ECO EVENT MATERIALS


Made from 100% recycled non-toxic base material. Fire rated and washable, but NOT REALLY “recyclable”.

Durable and holds color beautifully. Good value.

Good for indoor to medium-term outdoor applications.

RECYCLED POLYESTER

ECO EVENT MATERIALS


100% natural-fiber cotton material with heavy canvas weave. Biodegradable and made from renewable resource. Typically not waterproof or cleanable so best for Indoor applications.

Can be coated for outdoor applications. More expensive material.

COTTON

ECO EVENT MATERIALS


Alternatives: sugar cane, mango leafs, cotton, jute, hemp, straw, coconut, bamboo, stone composite, elephant poop.

Uses rapidly renewable resources & scrap, free of wood fiber materials.

Typically made with less energy, less water and reduced eco impacts. Prints and is treated like traditional papers.

TREE-FREE PAPER

ECO EVENT MATERIALS


JOHN BORGeco imprints

email: [email protected]: 415.558.8839 web: ecoimprints.comtwitter: @ecoimprints

OUR PLANET THANKS YOU

eco imprints / 888 Illinois StreetSan Francisco / CA / 94107


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Strategies For "Less Paper" Meetings

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