Sustainable Design

Sustainable Design Checklist

• Ask why. Why is this the best method?
• Ask how. How can we lessen impact?
• Ask what. What are the impacts of doing this?
• Design for re-use/longevity.
• Design cyclically not linearly.
• Choose recycled/non-toxic materials.
• Minimize waste. (e.g. use entire press sheet)
• Minimize ink coverage.
• Choose local vendors that use renewable energy.
• Encourage others to design sustainably.

Best Practices

• Choose 100% post-consumer waste (PCW) or treeless paper
• Choose paper that is processed chlorine free (PCF)
• Choose non-toxic water-based vegetable inks
• Choose products and materials that are manufactured with renewable energy
• Choose local materials
• Choose local vendors that utilize renewable energy (to save on transportation waste)
• Keep open discussion with client/boss about project impact related questions

What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is a systemic concept. It relates to the relationships between economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human existence. It calls for current economic needs to be met while preserving biodiversities and ecosystems to maintain the same quality of life for future generations.

• Respect and care for the community
• Improve the quality of life
• Conserve Earth’s vitality and diversity
• Minimize the depletion of non- renewable resources
• Change personal attitudes and practices to keep within the planet’s carrying capacity.

Source: renourish: a resource for the graphic design industry

Ditto Does It Again — Awarded Certification

Ditto! is the first printer in Westchester County NY to be awarded the coveted chain-of-custody certification from the Forest Stewardship Council, an international organization that promotes environmentally appropriate management of the world’s forests. Ditto! now offers customers the option of specifying FSC-certified papers that contribute to conservation, responsible forest management, and community level benefits for people near the forests that provide the paper.

Forest Stewardship Council certification is granted only to printers who can reliably track its paper back through the manufacturing and transport processes to FSC-certified sources. Only certified printers have the right to apply the FSC logo to projects printed on FSC-certified paper. Chain-of-custody certification is granted only after a thorough facility audit, which reviews the control systems and determines the integrity of a company’s paper-materials handling processes.