We’ve chosen to opt for printing processes that use fewer environmentally harmful materials. Using recycled paper, acrylic varnish, and vegetable based inks reduces toxic materials without compromising quality. Better printing for the planet: We believe in it, so we do it.
We believe that respecting nature means doing whatever we can as a company to support ecology. L’Empreinte applies best practices for energy and the environment. We’re constantly looking for new ways to lower our footprint. Concrete actions we’ve taken range from recovering heat and solvents to using vegetable based inks. Acquiring a second UV press to cut down on paper waste, and eliminating waterbased varnish, are also good examples.
The idea may seem simple at first, but it’s turned out to be a very effective way to reduce our energy needs. Our enormous 65,000 sq ft plant was designed to minimize environmental impact. The ingenious ventilation system makes it possible to capture hot air released by the equipment in order to redistribute it to the rest of the building. During cold winter months, the energy savings are substantial, with nearly 50,000 sq ft heated by this warm air.
We love paper and want even more of it to be produced locally. Whenever possible, we purchase products made nearby, and we recycle 1,300 tons a year! This helps to save more than 22,000 trees every year. Besides giving a second life to paper, we also recycle 98.8% of our waste. The process is simple: Waste generated during production is, first de-inked in a plant in the Montréal region, then returned to the manufacturer to be reused in creating recycled paper.
Several years ago, we acquired a recycling system made in Québec by the company Omega Recycling Technologies. Using an innovative distillation process designed for printing companies, this technology filters, treats, and recovers 95% of the solvents, varnishes, and water needed for the presses to run properly. This was a concrete step towards improving our ecological footprint and addressing our clients’ environmental concerns.
