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Posted on behalf of a colleague: Greetings P2 Techies: We need your assistance. This one is pretty tough.
A very proactive company recently reached out to us for some assistance in
helping them to further reduce their already small environmental footprint.
They are a leading national firm providing display solutions, from
in-house graphics design and production, to a broad line of display hardware to
turn-key project and program management solutions. They are currently interested in testing alternative
printable and manufacturable materials. Specifically, they are looking
for a board with properties similar to Sintra (Komacell) expanded PVC.
These are: 1) Relatively dense to cut drill and router cleanly; 2) Non-hydrophyllic; and 3) Provides a clean
surface to accept printing without absorbing ink dramatically. Right now, they have a 35% post-consumer
waste cardboard, which is excellent for “disposable” printing, but
is not good for exterior or long-term/abusive use. They also
have a 35% post-industrial recycled waste styrene which works
well for in-store signage or for projects where the graphic can flex or can be
supported on 4 sides. They use a wood/PVC blended
product (Gatorfom) which is rigid and resists impact, but is not good for
unsupported lengths over 40' and it’s highly hydrophyllic. Additionally,
they already use a composite aluminum/PVC sheet, virgin steel sheet, and
virgin aluminum sheet . Apparently, they are looking for a source of recycled
Sintra or a similar product. They are very interested in getting
away from PVC products, but they require the properties listed above.
We've checked - they already know about the "Eco-Flexx" product.
Per the company, "It prints beautifully for outdoor banners. It is
OK for indoors, but not good enough for display-grade and museum-grade
applications. FYI -- they are already members
of the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association. Basically
what their industry says is “Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is
recycled." We are told that Medium Density Fiberboard is
sawdust, so it absorbs moisture and apparently prints poorly,
etc. Great for cabinets, lousy for graphics. They are also
members of PINE - Printing Industries of New England. They got some
useful information there on highly-recycled card stock. They don't appear
to be up on the latest for plastics as a printed product. The
silk-screen industry hasn't been particularly helpful as a resource for
alternatives. See -- This is the problem with working
with a proactive company -- they've basically taken the wind out of our P2
sails! Any and all assistance and leads are greatly appreciated. Sara Johnson Pollution Prevention Program NH Department of Environmental Services |