Be PVC-free
Some products that you would normally choose in a PVC material are now available completely PVC-free, including self-adhesive, semi-rigid, and rigid substrate products, as well as a complete range of PVC-free banners in front-lit, double-sided, and mesh. These are the same high-quality banners you expect from XG, but they are designed with end-of-life disposal in mind.
PVC is notoriously harsh on the environment and difficult to recycle. These PVC-free banner options are made from polyester scrim and PA water-based coating, which is biodegradable and easy to recycle. For more information on PVC-free banners, visit our blog.
Smarter th-inking
We no longer use solvent-based inks; our sublimation inks are certified to the Oeko-Tex 100 standard. Most of our work involves either dye sublimation or UV printing, two of the more eco-friendly print mediums available.
Both of these options are considerably more environmentally friendly than traditional printing methods. Dye sub-printing uses water-based inks cured by heat. This method of printing can only be used on polyester-based fabrics, which are recyclable and durable, naturally decreasing their carbon footprint. In most cases, we print directly to the fabric, eliminating the large amounts of paper waste generated by the more traditional dye-sub transfer process.
On the other hand, our UV printers can print on a wide range of rigid and flexible materials. Ink is almost totally VOC-free and is cured, in most cases, by highly energy-efficient LED lamps, which consume minimal energy and ensure no solvents are evaporated into the atmosphere. Compare both of these processes here.
Landfill? Land empty!
The print industry as a whole is working on improving the recyclability of its products. Working with our waste management partners, we can ensure that none of our waste ends up in landfills. Managing to recycle or reuse many of our products, anything that goes to waste is disposed of in an energy from waste centre. This method burns waste and uses the heat and steam to fuel homes and businesses. Read more about how energy from waste works.
Change starts here
As technology around sustainability changes, so do we. This is just the first step to a greener future at XG Group; you can expect much more to come. In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding sustainability in the print industry, contact us on 01280 707 180
or via our online contact form.
