A revised look at sustainability in wide format print

Sustainability is crucial for wide-format print, moving beyond marketing to an imperative driven by brands and regulations. Common "eco" claims often mask complexities; true sustainability demands carbon reduction as a core principle. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) offers data-driven insights for genuine environmental improvement, as demonstrated by UFABRIK's transparent approach.

Sustainability is no longer an add-on issue in wide-format printing and has become an imperative for businesses. Brands expect it, regulations are increasingly demanding it, and our children’s children and planet Earth need it.

In the space between marketing lip service and good intentions, sustainability in print is still riddled with myths, half-truths, and greenwashing. It's time to look between the smoke and mirrors and examine what makes materials sustainable and why carbon reduction should be our guiding principle.

Here are some common misconceptions:

Recycling is enough

While recycling is important, it’s not the panacea that many of us believe it to be.  Most wide-format materials, especially those made with PVC, aren't easily recyclable as inks and adhesives contaminate them or lack a unified and cohesive infrastructure for proper recycling processing. It’s a case of prevention rather than cure here, looking at reducing impact as the source through better material choices, lower energy consumption, and better logistics.

Not all eco-materials are equal

The term eco-friendly is used frequently and thoughtlessly. Some products labelled as sustainable still have harmful chemicals, are difficult to dispose of, and offer no absolute transparency regarding manufacturing. At UFABRIK, we’re trying to change the discourse and genuinely move towards meaningful transformation. Sustainability should be about measurable performance across the full material lifecycle rather than a catchy marketing slogan.

Carbon offsetting is king

Carbon offsetting is useful, but it comes after the event. Rather than making reparation after the fact, the aim must be to reduce them in the first place. That means focusing on low-impact manufacturing, efficient logistics, and materials that can be reused or have responsible and easy end-of-life disposal.

Recycled PET

Recycled plastic waste, or PET, is often showcased as a sustainable solution, but the subject is far more complex. Despite being a tidy solution to the scourge of plastic waste, this new incarnation is still a single-use product unless it's being reused.

Carbon reduction

Carbon is fast becoming recognised as the hero of climate action because carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) is the standard currency used to measure and manage the environmental impact of all products, materials, and supply chains across all industries. 
CO2e captures the total greenhouse gas emissions throughout a product’s life cycle. By managing their carbon, businesses can trace, reduce, and report their carbon accurately. This allows them to meet sustainability targets and improve efficiency while aligning with evolving regulations and customer demand.

In the wide-format printing industry – carbon is prevalent at every step in the supply chain, from the raw materials and manufacturing to transportation, installation, usage, and disposal. Each stage has its own set of responsibilities and liabilities, all of which can be incrementally improved. 

For example, PVC-free UFABRIK is known for its material consistency and generates far less waste when printing. It is also lightweight, which means it is easier to handle and produces fewer emissions during transportation. Building on this, its unique consignment service consolidates orders into fewer deliveries, adding to customers’ overall carbon reductions.

Life Cycle Assessment  (LCA)

For the industry to toughen up around sustainability, we’ve got to move away from spurious claims and focus on data-access measurement, which is where Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comes in.

LCA is a scientific method used to evaluate a product's environment and mental impact across its lifespan, from raw material extraction to disposal. It provides the data to identify carbon hot spots, compare alternatives, and guide eco-design improvements. While traditional orcas can be time-consuming, automated systems now offer accurate, product-level insights that empower better decisions, reduce emissions, and support companies in effectively meeting sustainability targets and regulatory requirements.

UFABRIK journey

UFABRIK has engaged CarbonQuota's consultative services to support its commitment to practice best, transparency, and incremental improvements in its continual sustainability story.

By embarking on a framework with us, UFABRIK is building a foundation of credibility, moving towards LCA accreditation, and developing products that balance performance and environmental responsibility. By working with us, UFABRIK will become the first digital textile producer to open itself to such scrutiny and, by doing so, progress the wide-format digital printing industry forward.

The time has come to stop discussing sustainability in the abstract. It needs to be proven in manufacture, processes, products, and usage. That begins by embracing the tools and cutting-edge information available today to help businesses like UFABRIK build a range that leads the charge on all future demands and legislation.