Cleaner Technology Projects in Denmark 1997
Environmental Impacts and Resource Consumption for 3 Graphic Products in a Life-cycle Perspective
Miljøeffekter og ressourceforbrug for 3 grafiske produkter i et
livscyklusperspektiv
Miljørapport nr. 341, 1997, Miljøstyrelsen
Resource consumption and environmental impacts have been systematically mapped and assessed from cradle to grave for three graphic products: a newspaper, a weekly magazine and a commercial. On this basis it has been possible to establish a basis for future references and an overview of the facts and point out the areas with the biggest possibilities to reduce the environmental impacts.
The main goals of the project have been to state the resource consumption, the energy consumption and the outer and inner environmental relations in order to identify the areas with the largest consumption and thereby elucidate where the efforts should be made to reduce the consumption. The project includes a number of recommendations to make the graphical products as environmentally friendly as possible. It is not possible to follow all the recommendations today they are meant as suggestions to a future graduate and positive development in this area.
More than 98 % of the printed matter is paper. The paper is the dominating factor for the graphic product both in relation to resource consumption and environmental impacts. The major consumption and impacts originate from the energy consumption from the paper production. The printing is the second most important factor. The printing inks do not contribute considerably to the chosen effect categories except regarding consumption of oil and natural gas and generation of hazardous waste. Environmental, resource and waste profiles have been calculated and plotted for the three products. The importance of the paper and the printing is quickly seen. The visited paper mills mainly use non-renewable fuels.
The discharge of AOX from the production of paper mass is insignificant at the visited newsprint mill. For the mill producing paper for commercials the AOX discharge exceeds the standards set in the Nordic Swan eco-label. Four simulations have been performed showing that the weight of the printed matter is the most important factor in relation to consumption of resources and environmental impacts that it is possible to change immediately. Fewer and lighter printed matters will, everything else being equal, cause less consumption of resources and environmental impacts.
The major recommendations for the three graphic products are:
 | The printed matter is printed on a paper quality as light as possible. |
| The printed matter is printed on a paper quality with minimum energy consumption, maximum consumption of renewable fuels and maximum content of re-cycled fibres. Often an integrated mass and paper mill will use less energy as the surplus energy from the mass production can be used to dry the paper. |
| Only paper qualities fulfilling the demands from the Nordic Swan eco-label on paper or the like is used. |
| The graphic product fulfils the demands stated in the Nordic Swan eco-label on graphic products or the like. |
| The tree stems from woods conducted on a sustainable basis e.g. by following the Swedish criteria, /3/. |
| The fuel consumption should, as much as possible, be covered by renewable fuels such as hydropower, wood etc. |
| The paper contains as many re-cycled fibres as possible. This implies less energy consumption and less consumption of new filler. |
| The paper mill has implemented an environmental management system and has worked out environmental, resource and waste profiles for the paper qualities produced. |
| The paper mill has a biological wastewater treatment plant in order to reduce the discharge of AOX, organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus considerably. |
| The produced paper qualities fulfil the demands stated in the Nordic Swan eco-label or the like. |
For substances, where we for the time being are lacking data, resources should be used to search for toxic and eco-toxic data at more sources than done in this project. Emission of substances classified as potentially very eco-toxic or toxic should be reduced, if necessary by treatment. Furthermore one should consider substitution with less harmful substances.
Work should be done to improve the awareness of the environment among the buyers and users of the graphical products. Tests should also be made on how the products effect the flora and fauna and whether the extraction is conducted on a sustainable basis e.g. by following the Swedish criteria, /3/.
Author/ institution
Civ. ing. Thomas Drivsholm, Civ. ing. Jakob Maag, Cand. scient. Steen Vestervang Christensen, og Civ. ing. Erik Hansen, COWI
The report is subsidised by the National Council for Recycling and Cleaner Technology
ISSN no. 0105-3094
ISBN no. 87-7810-682-6