Verdigris, environmental research initiative, is encouraging those in the printing industry who want to know more about green issues to take advantage of its library of articles, news and reference links, now available online at www.verdigrisproject.org.
The articles are written by experts in their fields and cover a variety of topics relating to the environment, such as explaining the basics of carbon footprinting. There are also useful reference documents such as Heidelberg's Environmental Directions and Sustainability Report, plus news feeds from such as the New Scientist and Environmental Protection UK. A directory of ISO 14000 certified printers is underway, and there is no charge for compliant printers who want to be included in this directory.One of the aims of Verdigris to promote the positive side of printing's environmental initiatives and legislation. "The printing industry must get much better at presenting its green credentials," says Laurel Brunner, managing director of Digital Dots which is responsible for Verdigris. "Printing is not about dead trees, greasy ink and stinking landfills. This ugly image may have once been true, but it does discredit to an industry which has changed dramatically towards a greener future."
Verdigris is about sharing information so anyone with an interest in printing and the environment can provide material for the site. This is an educational site where reference material and links to industry associations and environmental organisations are made freely available.
Many suppliers to the printing industry are supporting the Verdigris initiative (Agfa, Canon, Fuji, HP, Kodak, Ricoh and Screen). For more information about the Verdigris project please email Laurel Brunner lb@digitaldots.org or call +44 (0) 1435 883565
