For some, it might be a scary prospect, while for other companies, it might be seen as an opportunity: making print more sustainable.

Environmental criteria have been on the agenda for a while. Now, they are taking a central role in business decisions. Print service providers need to keep in mind a variety of stakeholders which drive the perception and requirements for print becoming more sustainable. Governments set targets and regulations in a variety of areas of environmental concern. This is driven by the majority of consumers, who desire an environmentally friendly lifestyle and economy. Businesses need to both comply with the regulations and keep customers happy. It should be stressed, however, that businesses also exist that genuinely strive for sustainable operations. In any case, companies setting sustainability targets are sending ripples, sometimes waves, down the supply chain.

Making decisions based on sustainability factors is far from easy. Consumption does have an environmental impact and often there are opposing targets to be weighed against each other. A prime example is the packaging market where different types of materials are competing. Proponents of fiber-based packaging tout paper as being a renewable resource and easy to recycle. However, certain inks, barrier materials or additives can pose problems. Supporters of flexible packaging stress the light weight of the material and shelf-life achieved, although plastics are precarious in many other aspects. Glass and metal can easily be recycled but are energy-intensive to produce and bulky to store and transport.