The truth is that the commercial printing process creates enormous amounts of carcinogens, hazardous wastes and pollution. So what can be done about it? Well, we can't stop printing, right? Right (to say otherwise would put me and a lot of businesses OUT of business!) But we CAN choose printing inks that are made from natural products and processes, and that decompose without harm to the environment. Do those inks exist? Yes! They are called 'soy inks", and have been gaining in popularity for the past few decades. They are widely available and are comparably priced. And the print quality is incredible. By requesting soy-based inks over standard petroleum-based inks from your printer, you will be making a major impact on the health of the environment and simultaneously stimulating the US economy. Sound too good to be true? Read on!

"The Many Advantages of Using Soy Inks in Offset Printing"  by Jennifer Proia

Studies have shown that if all oil-based inks were replaced by soy based ink, “457 million pounds of soybean oil, equivalent to 41.5 million bushels.  This represents only about 1.8% of U.S. Soybean production” (Weisenbach, 2000).  Thus, soy bean producers could easily supply the demand for soy-based inks and even toner, if soy-derived toner became the market standard.  Unlike oil, soy is a renewable product, and soy-based toner offers a cleaner and sustainable source of toner.

“Switching to Soy Ink? What Are You Waiting For?" by Dan Weisenbach