Gone are the times where environmental considerations had little impact on business decisions. Consumers, businesses. and governmental entities put a lot more focus on environmental credentials now. This is supported by legislation, which is affecting all areas of life—including the printing industry.

Globally, Europe has been relatively environmentally conscious, and with the latest legislation and set of initiatives, this is expected to continue. Furthermore, it is likely that, as with the privacy regulations (GDPR), Europe is setting standards not only for businesses dealing with the EU, but also for similar legislation to follow around the world.

The overarching theme for the current push for environmental legislation is the EU’s so-called “European Green Deal.” Presented as a plan in December 2019, various components and specifics were presented in 2020 and more will be fleshed out in 2021.