In today’s world, truly sustainable printing requires more than good intentions…it demands purposeful action. At Friesens, environmental responsibility is woven into every stage of book production. From inks and papers to energy and waste, we pursue a greener future, one beautifully printed page at a time.
ECO-FRIENDLY INK
Friesens recognizes that printing ink often contributes to air pollution and waste. That’s why we use vegetable‑based inks made from flax, canola, and soy in many of our presses. These low‑VOC formulas are biodegradable and recyclable, support cleaner air, safer working environments, and easier ink recycling. In a clever waste‑reduction move, ink is delivered in reusable barrels, cutting down on single‑use containers. We’ve also eliminated alcohol from blanket washing and adopted reusable cleaning rags and skids to further reduce waste.
SUSTAINABLE PAPER CHOICES
Paper is the heart of book printing, and Friesens goes far beyond industry standards. Roughly 90% of our paper is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified 100% for coated stocks and about 80% for uncoated. Most papers use wood by-products or recycled fibres instead of whole trees. We offer specialized eco‑friendly paper options and apply Eco Audit or FSC® labels so clients can visibly demonstrate their sustainability goals. Impressively, we printed over 2.6 million FSC‑certified books in one year.
RENEWABLE ENERGY & WASTE MANAGEMENT
Helping to power Friesens’ facilities are 100% renewable sources: wind and hydroelectricity, ensuring a clean, low‑carbon footprint operation. We actively recycle every bit of paper waste from production and offices (baling it for reuse) and collect and recycle more than 267,000 lb of aluminum printing plates annually. Our waste‑tracking program emphasizes reduction, reuse, and recycling, and we even repurpose skids to prevent unnecessary consumption.
COMMUNITY IMPACT & CULTURE
Sustainability at Friesens isn’t just about materials, it’s a shared value. Employees are regularly educated on eco‑practices, from efficient prints and layouts to internal food‑waste composting. That compost program now extends into our home community in Altona, Manitoba. Friesens collaborates with conscious publishers like Patagonia and Milkweed Editions, helping them align production with environmental values.
When printing with the planet in mind, we’ve created a comprehensive, actionable sustainability model. From renewable energy and recyclable inks to FSC‑certified papers, waste reduction, and community outreach, our commitment shines through. Authors and publishers seeking eco‑smart printing solutions can proudly partner with Friesens…where every book reflects the care taken for both content and our planet.
