In Pursuit of Sustainability
For example, using soy inks in printed material is a popular way to express one’s commitment to the environment. Though these inks are far better than what was used 20 years ago in terms of their ecological impact, they’re not always an eco-friendly alternative, since rain forests have been cut down in some instances to grow the actual soy beans. While researching where the soy oil is coming from might not be practical, you can express an interest in products manufactured in the United States to your ink suppliers and manufacturers. When discussing sustainability, a key component is sourcing materials that are as close to your locale as possible. Products sourced locally, rather than globally, may assure more sustainable practices—from production and harvest, to transport of the product.