A printing house works every day with inks, solvents and machine cleaning products that release vapors, with large amounts of spoiled paper and cardboard, and with plates and films in some technologies. The environmental requirements for a printing house therefore depend on its size and technology: a small digital print shop in a commercial street, a commercial offset printer, or an industrial packaging printer printing on plastic and cardboard at scale. This article explains the environmental aspects of printing and what the regulations say.
Does a printing house need an environmental permit?
The Environmental Permits Regulation applies to every industrial, commercial or service facility expected to have an environmental impact. The National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) decides whether a printing house needs a permit and its category after reviewing the classification form, considering the type and size of the activity, energy used, location and surrounding receptors. Industrial packaging printers in industrial cities are close to full industrial activities, while a small print shop may have different requirements.
Environmental aspects of printing
| Source | Impact | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Inks, solvents and cleaners | Volatile organic vapors, residues and contaminated containers | Closed storage, ventilation, residues handed over as hazardous waste |
| Press hall and drying | Vapors and odors | Appropriate extraction and ventilation, outlets directed away from neighbors |
| Spoiled paper and cardboard | Large volumes of waste | Sorting and handover to licensed recyclers |
| Plates, films and developing solutions | Chemicals in some technologies | Separate collection and handover to a licensed party |
| Cleaning rags and wipes | Contaminated with inks and solvents | Closed containers, handed over as hazardous waste |
Solvents: storage requirements in the Air Quality Regulation
- Aluminum and magnesium alloys may not be used to store solvents; carbon steel, stainless steel and galvanized steel are acceptable.
- Plastic containers may be used when resistant to their contents.
- Tanks over 5 cubic meters need protective valves and vapor recovery systems.
- A documented preventive maintenance schedule for tanks and pipes, and records of the chemical names of stored materials and tank capacities.
Waste: what is hazardous and what is recyclable
The Waste Management Law defines hazardous waste as including flammable materials, solvents and dyes, so leftover inks and solvents, their containers and contaminated rags are collected separately and handed to a carrier licensed by the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) with a transport document. Clean paper and cardboard are among the clearest examples of recyclable waste; the law requires producers to sort them and puts recycling at the top of its priorities.
Practical steps for a printing house
- Review the activity and submit the classification form so NCEC can set the category.
- Set aside a safe, ventilated store for solvents and inks away from heat sources.
- Separate chemical from paper waste at source.
- Contract a licensed hazardous waste carrier and a licensed recycler for paper and cardboard.
- Keep a waste log with quantities and handover dates.
- Review extraction and ventilation in the press hall, especially near homes.
A printing house in a residential or commercial area
Odors and noise from presses and cutters can cause complaints. The Noise Regulation sets 65 dB by day and 55 at night for commercial areas, and 60 by day and 50 at night for mixed residential-commercial areas. When there is a complaint about an existing activity, NCEC may require noise modeling and a reduction plan.
Frequently Asked Questions about Printing Houses
Does a digital print shop need an environmental permit?
NCEC decides after classification according to the size of the activity and its materials. Small shops differ from industrial printers, but managing inks and waste is required in both cases.
What do I do with leftover and expired inks?
Treat them as hazardous waste, keep them in closed containers and hand them to an MWAN-licensed carrier; never pour them into drains.
Is spoiled paper general waste?
Clean paper and cardboard are recyclable and best handed to a licensed recycler. Paper heavily contaminated with inks or solvents is separated.
Do I need special ventilation in the press hall?
Appropriate extraction and ventilation reduce vapor concentrations inside and odors outside, and directing outlets away from homes prevents complaints.
How Abak Green helps
We review your printing house, its processes and location, determine its environmental requirements and permit needs, prepare an ink, solvent and waste management plan, set up records, and verify carrier and recycler licenses. Contact us about your printing house.
