 VOC's
Simply put, Volatile Organic Compounds are solvents used in inks, coatings, adhesives and other consumer products. These solvents give off emissions, which, when combined with heat and sunlight, react with oxides of nitrogen to form ground-level ozone. Vehicles are the largest source of VOC emissions nationwide, and other significant sources include petroleum production and industrial combustion. Even natural sources such as trees and other vegetation give off VOC emissions. Green Environment Friendly Paper
Standards have been put in place by the Federal, State and local governments, which require us to measure the amount of VOC’s released by our solvents and inks. Southern California has adopted some of the strictest regulations in the entire United States.
Further, permits must be authorized and purchased in order to ensure compliance with these standards
Originally inks were made from soot suspended in vegetable oil 50 centuries ago in ancient China. As technology progressed, petroleum-based inks became cheaper and more popular for offset printing than the standard vegetable-based inks. In the 1960s, petroleum-based inks replaced agri-based inks in the printing industry. However, petroleum-based inks pose a host of hazards to the environment. They contain a range of heavy metals (barium, copper, zinc) that leach into the soil and groundwater. Petroleum-based inks also emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air. VOCs are irritants to print shop workers and contribute to our smog issues. .
 Soy Inks
Soy Inks are manufactured from soybeans — a renewable resource — and require less than 1% of the total energy needed to produce petroleum-based inks, which are manufactured from fossil fuels. Soy Inks release 20% less smog-producing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than their traditional counterparts. They are easier to remove from paper, so paper fibers are less damaged during de-inking resulting in brighter recycled paper. From an environmental standpoint, Soy Inks are a practical, viable alternative.
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