Ask the Tech
How Green Is My Carbonless Paper?
August 15, 2009
Carbonless papers are widely used in businesses large and small for everything from credit card receipts to billing statements and multipart business forms. Carbonless papers were invented in 1954 as a clean way to make copies without the mess associated with carbon interleaves. Carbonless papers work due to the chemical in the coated surface reacting with the chemicals in the emulsion held in microscopic capsules that are coated on the undersurface of the top sheet. Pressure, such as your ballpoint pen rupture the capsules and the chemical reaction causes marks to appear. Very clean and convenient but is it Green?
Until recently, carbonless technology could hardly be classified as Green. Chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, vinyl acetate and polystyrenes are commonly used in the production of the microcapsules. Does this mean that there is no Green choice? Not if you choose Xcelerator Plus Digital Carbonless. This product uses palm extracts and pure coconut oil to produce the microcapsules and is manufactured by a company with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.
An innovative change in technology to decrease environmental impact. When was the last time that you evaluated the impact of your choices on the environment?