C2C certifiedTM printing
Cradle to Cradle printing products
Optimised for the biological circle: the closed-loop life cycle of certified printed products
Cradle to Cradle™ printing products are optimised for the biological cycle. They can be incinerated or composted and used as humus – a superfluous option at this time as there is a waste paper collection system in place. Waste paper recycling is always preferable, as it allows paper fibres to be reused as often as possible.
Cradle to Cradle™ printed products make complete recycling of paper possible: because there are no toxins present in the waste sludge from Cradle to Cradle™ products, the sludge can be returned to the biological cycle, as biomass, for instance.
Is there a reason why recycling Cradle to Cradle™ printed products is not a good idea?
We are often asked the question: what have you got against paper recycling? Do you want to give it a bad reputation?
NO, we have no intention of doing so whatsoever!
The problem is that in the recycling process only the pulp is recovered. Everything else ends up as waste sludge, which, for the present, is either incinerated or used in the concrete and brick industry. However, this entails the loss of many valuable substances and there remains some residual risk that problematic substances might find their way back into nature eventually.
If the products were 100% Cradle to Cradle™, there would not be any problematic substances.
It would be completely acceptable for use as humus.
Of course, this is only a dream (so far). There are not enough Cradle to Cradle™ printed products right now for that. But every Cradle to Cradle™ printed product that does go to the recycling facility makes the waste sludge at least a little less toxic. We are taking the first step. Join us!
Support us by having your printed products produced in accordance with our innovative standard. The more people help to drive up the share of Cradle to Cradle™ products in the total volume of waste paper, the better. Inquiry
Have we answered all of your questions? If not, please let us know!
Lost in certification jungle?
You can find out here what the individual certificates signify and what criteria are applied for certification. This is important information for someone deciding where to place an order for printed products that make ecological and economic sense:
Comparison with existing certificates: the example of Austria
The pyramid depicts the way in which the certificates build on one another.
_FSC and PEFC are certificates for the production of paper. The quality seal on the printed paper provides the proof that the pulp originated in sustainable forestry. That is great, but it does not tell you anything about the printing inks.
_The Austrian Ecolabel requires the use of FSC or PEFC certified papers, and it also sets out rules and limits governing the production of the printed product. Products that boast this certificate are far more environmentally friendly. Production conditions, such as the energy efficiency of the operation, are also taken into consideration but e.g. the use of electricity from renewable energy is not a requirement.
_greenprint* klimapositiv gedruckt is an optional supplement. CO2 emissions generated during production are compensated for at a 110% rate. The proceeds generated directly benefit a reforestation project of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.
_ All Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM paper comes from certified sustainable forestry. But that is not all: all the other components, such as printing ink, must also surpass all the requirements of the Austrian Ecolabel; climate positive production is required. What is more: chemicals used are not kept within restricted limits because no chemicals subject to such restrictions can be used at all. And: energy efficiency alone is not the issue, the use of renewable energies is also required.
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Cradle to Cradle™ trademark
The logo identifies all Cradle to Cradle™ printed products. So you can rest assured that the printed product has been optimised for the biological cycle.
By displaying the logo on their printed products, customers are demonstrating that they are part of a green revolution in printing and meet the highest standards for eco-friendly printing.
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