A proposed U.S. tax credit for “green” printing that was unveiled this week could lead to some interesting arguments among environmentalists, printers, paper mills, and print-buying organizations.
As Dead Tree Edition reported last month in Federal Subsidy For Green Printing To Be Proposed, Print Buyers Online revealed the proposed legislation at a conference this week as scheduled. (See full text of the bill below.)
The legislation would be good news for paper mills using recycled fiber and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative but bad news for big printers and overseas paper manufacturers.
To be declared “a qualified sustainable print project” must meet 13 of 15 criteria, including (with my comments in Italics):
“The materials used in the print project must be recyclable.” (All of the materials? Can ink be considered recyclable if paper has to be de-inked before being recycled?)
“The print project must contain verbiage that encourages the reader to recycle the printed piece.” (That’s a no-brainer for direct mail, publications, and cereal boxes. But it’s trickier for printed products that don’t contain words, like wallpaper, vinyl flooring, and electronic circuits.)
“The print project must contain verbiage that allows prospects/customers to opt-out from further printed communications.” (How do you opt out of receiving a cardboard box? There needs to be a distinction between something meant for paying customers and one meant for prospects.)
see full post at: Dead Tree Edition.
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