As the green movement sweeps across the globe, eco inks are growing in popularity. Companies and individuals are communicating ideas on the printed page without trampling Mother Nature in the process.

growing_plant_in_handsThis is a great step forward from days past when inks were not as kind to the environment. It’s easy to forget that petroleum-based inks take a toll on the planet. First of all, plant-sourced inks are renewable, and we all know that petroleum-based products are not.

Customers want to feel they are doing their small part to contributing to a better world. These days, who doesn’t want to feel good about running a business that doesn’t harm the ecosystem? Even adopting eco-inks for those ubiquitous business cards can make a difference to the environment.

Adoption of eco-friendly inks is growing internationally, particularly as more global corporations are under pressure to protect natural resources worldwide. In the U.S., some clients are asking outright for eco-friendly printing solutions.

Sodexo is a food-service company that provides dining supplies to companies and educational facilities. They switched to soy-based ink for printing paper dining products, which are compostable and biodegradable.

As more companies seek ways to reduce damage to the environment, eco-friendly inks are an important step to that end. The printing industry is robust in the U.S., and curtailing the use of those harsh chemicals is a big step to easing the strain on our planet.