The printing industry is making great strides to lessen its impact on the environment.  I was encouraged by the progress demonstrated at the Print 09 Show recently held at McCormick Place in Chicago where, for the first time ever, the five-day show had an area dedicated to educating the print industry on how they can make their businesses more sustainable. 

The Greenspace included exhibitors of products meant to help lower the environmental impact of printing, as well as non-profits offering certifications.  The space also incorporated a Green Theater providing education on a variety of sustainable subjects. The well attended Consultants Corner provided attendees with free, individualized, one-on-one consulting with sustainability experts.

Walking the floor of the show provided moments of inspiration with numerous companies communicating how they were working to lower their company’s environmental impact. Some of the larger corporations included a green themed seminar in their line up of educational presentations.

The print industry is doing a great job to lower its impact on the environment, but there is still plenty of work to be done. We all need to consider how we use the products that the print industry provides us. From encouraging our print partners to apply for forestry certifications, explore waterless printing and support the development of renewable energy, we can all participate in helping to move printing to a deeper shade of green.