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Some Considerations:
- Research possible printers, caterers, bioware manufactures, etc.,
that have made a commitment to sustainable practices
General Guidelines
- Always meet or exceed EPA standards for recycled paper. These standards
can be found on the EPA website at www.epa.gov.
- All printed materials should list the amount of recycled content in the paper.
- Always use double-sided (back to back) copying and printing.
- Do not use goldenrod or fluorescent colored paper because it is hard to recycle.
- Limit the use of glossy paper to applications where it significantly
improves the publication (e.g. high-quality photography)
- Give event attendees the option of having their names removed from
any post-event mailing lists.
general guidelines || promotional || confirmation
|| on-site
speaker handouts || misc || at a glance
Promotional Materials
- Use electronic advertising, promotion, and registration whenever possible.
- Make materials self-mailers whenever possible and do not tab selfmailers unless necessary.
- Print with vegetable-based ink (unless unadvisable because of the paper used).
- Use mailing labels with water-based adhesives.
general guidelines || promotional || confirmation
|| on-site
speaker handouts || misc || at a glance
Confirmation Materials
- Mail only confirmation of registration and any significant changes to the
event program. All other confirmations and information will be available
online and mailed only when requested.
general guidelines || promotional || confirmation
|| on-site
speaker handouts || misc || at a glance
On-Site Materials
- Name Badges. Collect plastic name tag holders for reuse, with collection
boxes at all registration, exhibit, and exit areas. Also ask hotels to collect name badge
holders at the check-out desk. Hold a prize drawing from the recycled badges.
- Signs. Use reusable or recyclable signs.
- Sponsor Materials. Ask sponsors and others who provide materials to:
(1) ensure they meet or exceed EPA standards for recycled content, (2) avoid goldenrod or
fluorescent colored paper, and (3) avoid glossy paper.
general guidelines || promotional || confirmation
|| on-site
speaker handouts || misc || at a glance
Speaker Handouts
- Encourage speakers to provide electronic copies of handouts and any visual
presentations and post them on your website.
- Request that speakers gather business cards and mail presentation materials
to interested attendees after the event.
- When paper copies are preferred, request speaker handouts prior to the
event and copy them according to this policy. Ask speakers/moderators who will provide
handouts themselves to comply with the policy. Identify for speakers onsite copy locations
that will accommodate this policy’s printing requirements.
- Educate attendees that speakers were asked to comply with this policy.
general guidelines || promotional || confirmation
|| on-site
speaker handouts || misc || at a glance
Miscellaneous Printing Considerations
Recycled content: It is important to purchase paper with high post-consumer
fiber content. Post-consumer recycled papers contain fibers from papers that have been reclaimed
from the waste stream, such as office paper. Pre-consumed paper is made from fibers that are
captured before they get to the consumer, such as mill pulp and trimmings. Either one saves trees
from being cut down in forests to make new paper and reduces the amount of space that waste
occupies in landfills.
Ink: Avoid petroleum-based inks, which are common and that leak toxic VOC's
into the ground in landfills. Ink can be made using renewable resources such as soy, linseed, and
corn. These contain only a trace amount of petroleum oil (a minimal amount of petroleum is used,
otherwise the amount of heat required to dry the ink would be extremely high). Another benefit
of these renewable inks is that they are easier to separate from the fibers during the de-inking
process of paper recycling. These inks are therefore better for the environment. They are
partially made with renewable resources and use less non-renewable resources (petroleum oil).
Chlorine Free: Try to purchase paper with pulp that is brightened without
chlorine, because of the release of dioxins (chemicals)that are toxic. Chlorine-conscious paper
comes in two forms. One is Totally Chlorine Free paper (TCF), which uses minimal water, and
oxygen & hydrogen peroxide to bleach the pulp. The second option is Elemental Chlorine Free
(ECF) paper, which uses minimal water and minimal pulp bleaching (the amount of dioxin used
is reduced to trace levels). Both TCF and ECF papers significantly reduce the bio-accumulative
compounds from mill wastewater, making them an environmentally friendly choice.
general guidelines || promotional || confirmation
|| on-site
speaker handouts || misc || at a glance
AT A GLANCE
- All printed materials should be 100% recycled or list the recycled content on them
- Buy chlorine-free (ECF, usually priced similar to regular//TCF, usually priced
a little higher)
- Always use double-sided (for printing and copying)
- Avoid goldenrod and fluorescent colored paper because it’s difficult to recycle
- Limit glossy paper
- Advertise electronically as much as possible
- Print with vegetable-based ink (like soy)
- Make mailing labels (if necessary) with water-based adhesives
- Consider lowering your paper basis weight. Less weight requires fewer fibers,
which saves resources and money.
- Avoid laminations. They emit VOC’s if solvent based and often use many adhesives.
- Signs: recyclable or re-usable
- Speakers/workshop materials: encourage their materials to be available
electronically and you can post the link on your website
- If printed material is necessary, ask for the original ahead of time and
print it at an eco-friendly printer or ask them to adhere to the eco-friendly policy.
- Prepare an environmental policy and post it on your event website.
Share it with all involved parties (suppliers, presenters, exhibitors and attendees).
general guidelines || promotional || confirmation
|| on-site
speaker handouts || misc || at a glance
Check out our planning resources page for
additional paper resources.
References:
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If you have any questions on the recycling program at Michigan Tech: