環保油墨
企業機構日漸重視環保意識，
令環保油墨成為印刷及噴畫市場的一大趨勢，
究竟市場上的「環保油墨」是什麼？
事實上並沒有一種油墨是絕對環保，
環保油墨其實是指對環境造成較低傷害的油墨，
而油墨是否環保則視乎它的可持續性︰
傳統油墨用的是從礦物提煉而成的礦物油，
生產後依然留有大量重金屬於印刷品內，
部份更有毒性可透過空氣及經皮膚吸收，
特別對兒童及長者構成很大威脅。
建議使用可被分解或可再生原料製作的油墨，
例如大豆﹑植物油或其他低礦物用料。
部份油墨中的化合物會釋出有害氣體導致空氣污染，
稱為揮發性有機化合物(VOCs)，
其中甲醛更是被世界公認的可致癌物質。
室內或空氣不流通地方難以排走VOCs ，
因此選擇零VOCs的油墨是環保的一大方向。
除了用可再生﹑無毒的油墨減低污染外，
油墨的耐用性亦影響印刷品的壽命，
產品壽命周期愈長有助減少印刷次數及用料量，
減輕對環境造成的傷害。
環保油墨由原料到生產都符合國際環保認證要求，
大眾可向公司查詢及索取有關的證明了解。
Writer : MH CONTRIBUTOR. (Aug 21, 2019)
The Future Of Ink And The Environment. Minutehack Retrieved from
https://minutehack.com/opinions/the-future-of-ink-and-the-environment
Summary
With global and irreversible climate change looming over our planet, companies and consumers alike have been scrambling for ways to do things more sustainably. While reducing solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions are obvious measures to take towards this goal, there are also less obvious paths that companies can take, such as by developing more eco-friendly inks like Eco-friendly latex ink, Eco-solvent inks, Biodegradable ink and so on.
Posted by : Indoor Air Quality Information Centre. (Jan, 2019)
Volatile Organic Compounds and You Retrieved from
https://www.iaq.gov.hk/media/67653/leaflet-volatile-organic-compounds-and-you-final.pdf
Writer : Sora Davidson. (Nov 26, 2018)
PART 1: What Are The Effects Of Printing On The Environment? Medium Retrieved from
https://medium.com/@soradavidson/what-are-the-effects-of-printing-on-the-environment-bdb90d832292
Summary
Common everyday items that will go through a printer at some period in their life-cycle include: books, wallpaper, newspapers, food wrappers, pop cans, flyers, and plastic bags. However, the print industry is also one of the main contributors in the negative state of the environment. There are many key environmental issues caused by the print industry. These include air pollution, handling and disposing of hazardous materials, waste management, and energy use. The primary source of VOC emissions within a printing plant is the press-room where there are three key sources of VOCs: Ink, Cleaning and Fountain Solution.
Writer : Freedom Paper. (n.d.)
Wide Format Ink Types for Inkjet Printers Retrieved from
https://www.freedompaper.com/wide-format-ink-types
Posted by : ECOENCLOSE. (Jan 22,2020)
What is the Most Sustainable Ink? Retrieved from
https://www.ecoenclose.com/blog/what-is-the-most-sustainable-ink/
Summary
A combination of oil shortages and the EPA’s Clean Air Act of 1970 led the printing industry to transition many historically solvent-based inks to vegetable / soy or water based inks. These new inks featured carriers that were plant or water-based, though the additives and pigments largely remained the same. Some companies have ink options can help you understand the functional and sustainable pros and cons of their options. They have specific inks identified for different use cases. You might start the conversation by asking about the printing method and substrate being printed, to help you research sustainability considerations and the types of ink that you want to use.
