Comprehensive Interpretation of “Green Packaging”
- Concept and Background of Green Printing
Green printing originated in the 1980s in developed countries like Japan, the United States, and Germany, emphasizing environmentally friendly printing methods that minimize ecological impact, pollution, and resource usage. The core of green printing is “environmental friendliness” and “health benefits,” aiming to achieve sustainable production through reduced harmful substances and waste, as well as the use of eco-friendly materials. In 2010, China’s General Administration of Press and Publication and the Ministry of Environmental Protection signed an agreement to officially launch the green printing strategy, promoting environmentally conscious practices in the printing industry. In 2019, five Chinese ministries jointly issued the “Opinion on Promoting Green Development in the Printing Industry,” focusing on upgrading the systematic framework for green printing and promoting high-quality green development across the industry. - Regulations, Standards, and Evaluation of Green Printing
- Regulations: Green printing is implemented based on the Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Printing Industry Management Ordinance. These regulations cover printing equipment, auxiliary materials, and production processes, aiming to reach international environmental standards, eliminate outdated processes and equipment, and advance the industry’s energy-saving and emission-reducing goals.
- Standards: Technical standards for green printing are divided into five major categories:
- Green Printing Standards: Including Green Printing Terminology, General Technical Requirements and Evaluation Methods for Green Printing, and Green Printing Product Qualification Criteria, providing a basis for industry certification.
- Certification Standards: The Ministry of Environmental Protection has issued the Environmental Labeling Product Technical Requirements series for different printing types, outlining limits for harmful substances and environmental control measures as core standards for green printing certification.
- Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Standards: National mandatory standards such as Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard, General Industrial Solid Waste Storage and Disposal Pollution Control Standards, etc., clarify environmental responsibilities regarding waste gas, wastewater, solid waste, and noise.
- Raw Materials Standards: Standards such as Volatile Organic Compound Limits for Adhesives, Volatile Organic Compound Content Limits for Cleaners, etc., ensure that auxiliary materials meet eco-friendly standards to control pollution at its source.
- Product Quality Standards: Different printing types have specific quality standards to ensure environmental and high-quality products.
- Evaluation Methods:
- Third-Party Certification: Companies can undergo certification reviews by qualified third-party agencies. The review includes examining management systems, product environmental performance, and environmental management throughout production.
- Enterprise Self-Declaration: Companies may use self-declaration to affirm compliance with green printing standards, providing legal testing reports and documents to ensure the declaration’s authenticity.
- Policy Support and Guidance
The Chinese government offers extensive support to promote green printing development:
- Government Procurement Policy: In government procurement, priority is given to green-certified printing companies, encouraging the industry to adopt green printing practices.
- Educational Publications: Since 2012, all primary and secondary school textbooks must be printed using green methods, achieving full coverage across schools.
- Local Support Policies: Cities such as Wuhan, Beijing, and Shaanxi have introduced supporting policies, with some places offering financial incentives for green development. Local mandatory standards also impose stricter environmental requirements on printing enterprises. Supply Chain Development: The Ministry of Commerce’s Green Procurement Guide encourages companies to establish green supply chain management systems, supporting eco-friendly material production and circulation in the green printing industry.
- Applications and Practices of Green Printing
Green printing is now widely applied in offset, gravure, and commercial ticket printing. During certification, companies follow the “factory inspection + sample testing + post-certification supervision” model. In product testing, printing companies must meet standards for hazardous substance limits (e.g., antimony, arsenic, benzene). On-site inspection includes evaluating the company’s management system, pollution control, and eco-friendliness of raw materials. Certification is typically valid for three years, with regular inspections to ensure ongoing compliance with green standards. - Suggestions and Measures
To promote green printing across the industry, the following measures are suggested:
- Improving Regulations and Standards: Strengthening eco-friendly requirements for raw materials and regulating source control to reduce pollutants in the printing process.
- Policy Support: To alleviate cost burdens, the government is encouraged to offer tax, subsidy, and financing support to promote the development, use, and modification of eco-friendly materials and equipment, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Certification and Platform Development: Establishing more green printing certification bodies and self-declaration platforms to increase accessibility and transparency, thereby supporting the adoption of green printing nationwide.
- Awareness and Training: Raising awareness of green printing through enterprise training and educational programs, helping the industry understand the importance of environmental responsibility.
- Strengthening Corporate Responsibility: Corporate leadership should prioritize green printing, establishing transparent management systems to ensure compliance with eco-friendly standards.
- Promoting a Green Lifestyle: Green printing is part of a broader green production and consumption model. The government and industry should encourage a lifecycle approach to management, supporting a sustainable society based on resource conservation and environmental protection.
Green printing represents the future of the printing industry, combining environmental protection, health, and high-quality production. With improved policies and technologies, green printing will spread widely in China’s printing sector, driving a low-carbon transformation and promoting society’s shift toward a green lifestyle.