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FSEA Green Initiatives
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Foil Recyclability Study Gaining Ground |
FSEA at Work for YOU!
Dear FSEA Members:
As environmental sustainability and responsibility continue to be hot topics in the graphics industry, the FSEA's
recent report on the recyclability and
repulpability of foil-decorated paper and board
(compiled by third-party research firm Pira
International) is proving to be a valuable tool
in gaining some serious momentum in the graphic
arts and packaging communities at large.
Recently, in Package Design magazine’s
‘Sustainability Update’, an article was
published that supports the findings of the
FSEA’s Pira report that confirms the
recyclability of products decorated by the
traditional hot stamp and new cold foil
processes. In the article, author Wendy Jedlicka,
CPP, Jedlicka Design Ltd., a long-standing
proponent of sustainable graphic design reports:
Repulping facilities that use centrifugal
cleaners (hydrocyclones) to better remove all
types of adhesives, laminates, bindery remnants,
and labels – a process used in many markets –
have little problem removing selectively applied
foils. (Read the entire article here.)
Jedlicka is an IoPP-certified packaging
professional with over 20 years of packaging and
print experience, providing design and business
strategies to clients such as 3M, Target, and
Hormel. She not only writes the attached regular
feature article but also, is the contributing
editor for two books on sustainable graphic
design (Wiley Publishing), and is regularly
tapped to speak on eco-packaging and print
design, as well as a variety of sustainable
design and business issues.
Her recognition of the Pira report and its findings is a significant step
forward for the print finishing industry as we continue to educate and spread
the word on foil recyclability to designers. OEMs, and brand managers!
Further proof of the power of the foil recyclability study to attract and retain
new environmentally conscious customers is evidenced in the attached testimonial
from Gryphon Graphics, Inc. Through the use of the Pira Report (and Pira’s
Statement of Credentials), Gryphon Graphics was able to beat out two other
local, non-FSEA member companies in securing its largest foil stamping job to
date. (Read the complete story below.)
Moving forward, we are working with a special team to develop a pilot program
addressing the issue of foil waste, as well as other important green topics as
they relate to foil sustainability issues. The FSEA continues to move forward
with our green initiatives program and invites all our members to join us in
this most important venture. Education is a powerful tool and together, we can
spread the green word on foil!
The Pira Report on the recyclability of foil-decorated paper/board and Pira’s
Statement of Credentials are available through the FSEA. Call (785) 271-5816 or
email jeff@fsea.com.
Jeff Peterson
Executive Director, FSEA
Member
Testimonial
Full Article - Stamping Out Sustainability
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Repulpability of Foil-Decorated Paper Study |
 New Study
Confirms the
Recyclability
and
Repulpability of
Foil-Decorated
Paper/Board
Pira
International,
Surrey, UK, a
third party
research firm,
was commissioned
by the FSEA to
conduct the
study and
produce the
findings, which
have been
compiled in a
11-page study.
To conduct the
study, foil
stamped
paper/board was
utilized from
both the more
traditional hot
foil stamping
process and also
the cold foil
process. The
evaluation
included foil
decorated
product that
represented 25
percent post
consumer waste
up to 100
percent post
consumer waste,
meeting levels
that far exceed
normal
conditions. “It
has become quite
apparent that
this study is
extremely
important to the
long-term health
of our industry
and
association,”
stated FSEA
Executive
Director Jeff
Peterson. “We
are very excited
with the
positive
findings of the
study and are
making every
effort to
communicate
these findings
to the graphic
arts and
packaging
industries as
quickly as
possible.”
Along with the
findings, the
study describes
the pulping and
screening
methods used in
the research,
and provides a
complete
analysis of the
reporting
results from the
testing methods.
The main
conclusion from
the study
validates the
recyclability of
paper products
decorated by
both the
traditional hot
stamp and new
cold foil
processes. In
addition, the
study finds that
neither hot nor
cold
foil-decorated
products would
give rise to
problems found
in other
decorating
processes that
may render the
decorated paper
products
unsuitable for
recycling.
The Foil & Specialty Effects Association is
committed to
providing its
members and the
industry at
large with the
tools to address
the expanding
number of
questions
regarding the
topic of
sustainability.
The complete
copy of the
study is
available for
distribution. To
obtain a copy or
to receive
further
information,
contact the Foil & Specialty Effects Association at
(785) 271-5816
or e-mail jeff@fsea.com.
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Contribute to the Special Projects Fund |
The Foil Awareness Committee for the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has recently taken on the responsibility
and initiative to begin a campaign to educate many sectors of the graphic arts and design communities on sustainability
and other environmental issues in regards to foil stamping and embossing.
Read More
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Frequently Asked Questions |
Information on Sludge from Paper
Recycling
The amount and nature of deinking sludge
generated at a particular recycling facility
is directly related to the type of waste
paper consumed by the mill. Contaminants are
present in wastepaper and do become part of
the sludge. In addition to obvious trash
(staples, paper clips, etc), during the
waste paper recycling process all
non-cellulose materials are removed from the
fiber. This includes inks, dyes, adhesives,
coatings, foil, and fillers such as clay and
calcium carbonate. While the volume and
composition of sludge can pose disposal
challenges, the consensus among the
environmental community is that the benefits
of recycling far outweigh sludge disposal
concerns. Deinking sludge is most commonly
dewatered and then landfilled. Sludge with
high clay content may be beneficially used
as liner and capping material for landfills.
Some sludge is high in nutrients and
minerals and, when meeting stringent testing
requirements, may be used as a soil
conditioner on farm or forest land. Some
facilities burn sludge as fuel within
specialized industrial boilers and the ash
may be landfilled or used as aggregate in
concrete or cement. However, in some cases
the concentration of heavy metals in the
resulting ash may warrant special handling
practices.
The recent State of the Paper Industry
Report published by the Environmental Paper
Network provides a good overview of the
paper industry and associated environmental
parameters. It notes that "Solid waste from
pulp and paper manufacturing is dwarfed by
the lifecycle contribution of paper to solid
waste, when paper is disposed of in
landfills and incinerators instead of being
recycled."
The environmental organization Conservatree
reviews some of the concerns over deinking
and describes some of the environmental
benefits of paper recycling:
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