- Paper and Printing Tools
- Recycled Paper: Premium options like Mohawk Options or Neenah Environment ensure high quality while using post-consumer materials.
- Eco-Friendly Certifications: Work with suppliers certified by the FSC or Rainforest Alliance.
- Environmental Impact Calculators
The Environmental Paper Network provides tools to estimate the environmental costs of paper choices and explore sustainable alternatives. - Digital Tools
- Website Carbon Calculator: Estimate the energy consumption of websites to identify optimization opportunities.
- Ecofont: A typeface designed to reduce ink consumption during printing.
- Packaging Design Resources
Packaging design offers significant opportunities for innovation in sustainability. In Packaging Sustainability: Tools, Systems, and Strategies for Innovative Package Design, Wendy Jedlicka highlights examples of eco-friendly packaging solutions that illustrate the principles of sustainable design:
- Apple’s Minimalist Packaging: Designed with fewer components and made from recycled materials, Apple’s packaging reflects a commitment to efficiency and sustainability.
- Patagonia’s Recycled Content: By using post-consumer recycled materials, Patagonia minimizes environmental impact and aligns packaging with its broader environmental mission.
- Biodegradable Innovations: Certain brands are now utilizing plant-based materials like cornstarch polymers, which decompose more easily in the environment.
- Refillable or Reusable Packaging: Products like refillable containers for cosmetics and personal care items reduce waste by encouraging multiple uses.
References
- Jedlicka, W. (2011). Packaging sustainability: Tools, systems, and strategies for innovative package design. Wiley.
