mcr print sources vegetable based inks with minimal oil or solvent content as an alternative to traditional, hazardous oil-based printing inks.   These vegetable based inks reduce the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants emitted in the printing process and are equivalent in performance and printed results to mineral oil based inks.

There are two general areas of concern which relate to the composition and environmental impact of printing inks: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and non-renewable resources.

VOCs are carbon containing compounds that contribute to air and water pollution when they escape into the air by evaporation.   These are mostly derived from petroleum products and are used as solvents.   The amount of VOCs emitted will depend on the type of printing.  

Renewable inks are vegetable based inks that contain vegetable oil rather than petroleum.   These inks are better for the environment because they are partially made with renewable resources such as soy, linseed and corn.

mcr print recommends: that you do not use heavy ink coverage in your printing.   Heavy ink coverage uses more resources and creates more waste.   It may also impact upon the recycling opportunities by increasing the amount of sludge created in the recycling process.