How Green Booklet Printing Is An Example Of Positive Change

By Melissa Meyer


In the making of printed paper, the industry beginnings were quite primitive, with the use of things that often caused diseases or harm. During the late 20th century, change came in some measure. But this had to take into account how workers in the print industry have long been working with toxic chemicals and the like, which was one reason for the changes.

The industry, though, did play the role of leader in the worldwide movement to change older systems for new ones that addressed the health of people as well as the environment. The movement made the making of green booklet printing processes that much safer. There is a need to know why the turnaround was effected.

Those were the days of very dangerous tech, but a lot of the movers did so because of economic or financial concerns. This did not make for an atmosphere of study or learning, even as the argument goes like, if these industries were not founded, newer techniques might not have been discovered. It took a lot of concerned people to fight for changes, it even took wars for eyes to open for safer possibilities.

Generations later, early industries are considered the primitive beginnings of progressive ways. For printing, the relevant technologies are now sized smaller, the larger machines largely defunct and inefficient. This is in comparison to advanced techniques that rely on more efficient machines that are more compact and more effective.

The big mechanical contraptions used up so much fuel but were advertised as the best kinds of machines in their day. Many are now aware of how these were truly very much injurious to the planet and those that live in it. Labor struggled and fought for many years before the big industrial combines started to change their ways.

Minus the movement advocating the changes for better labor practice and safer factories, most industries would still be using foul technologies. Much litigation and even bloodshed occurred before governments would budge from their support of industry. When they did, it may have already been too late for everyone concerned, including the barons.

The risks have gone done for the industry of printing, and this is because a lot of things have changed. Inks are no longer chemically irresponsible, and the preference is for those inks that are made from vegetable matter. Papers are also made in a non toxic manner and much is being recycled for reuse.

The offset system is not in use for printing booklets, because the printing runs for it need to be in the 10,000 order range so that all costs are covered and income generated. Some great new digital processes are used because of their high technology and relevance for environmental and health concerns. Former problems are no longer visible.

The WHO, however, is still on the lookout for those printers that have not seemed to have caught the news about changes in usage and production. For them, the consideration to convert to safer and healthier systems are seen as beyond their budget or knowledge. So the regulations and government agencies run after them so that they start subscribing to change or else close out, which is a very healthy way of making the environment safer.




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