SOP

Offsetting Our Environmental Impact

Find out more about some of Southwest Offset's environmentally friendly printing practices that help to protect our planet.

FSC Certified

"Established as a response to concerns over global deforestation, Forest Stewardship Council is widely regarded as one of the most important initiatives of the last decade to promote responsible forest management. The FSC certification system provides an internationally recognized standard-setting, trademark assurance, and accreditation services to companies, organizations, and communities interested in responsible forestry."

As a print facility that has made a major commitment to the environment, Southwest Offset is proud to be an FSC certified member.

Learn more about the FSC certification process.

Low Emission Standards

According to the Environmental Protection Agency "Many volatile organic compounds (VOC) are found in emissions from burning coal, oil and gasoline, and in evaporation at gasoline service stations. These and other sources, solvents, cleaners and paints, all contribute to the baseline level of different VOCs found in outdoor air. Some VOCs are also released from tobacco smoke. VOCs are of special concern because they photo-chemically react (in sunlight) to cause ozone or smog."

At Southwest Offset Printing, our VOC emissions are compliant with the most stringent regulations in the world - the SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District) - and in most cases, far exceed all other states in the country.

Find out more about reducing VOCs

Soy Based Inks

Soy inks contain non-toxic soybean oil, the same oil which is used in cooking oils, dressings and many other foods and beverages. Soy-based inks not only emit 70 percent less volatile organic compounds (VOC) - and use only 0.5 percent of the total energy that is needed to create petroleum-based inks - they are biodegradable. While also low in volatile organic compounds, soy inks promote paper recycling due to the fact they are more easily stripped from paper during the de-inking with the recycling process than petroleum inks.

Find out more about soy inks and other uses