ISMPP 2009
Challenges of Developing Environmentally
Friendly Posters: A Case Study
Donna Simcoe,1 Celeste Williams-Hughes,1 Siobhan Southam,2 Rachel Jones,2 Hilary Davidson,2 Lauren Blair,3 Melissa Gerard4
1AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE, USA, 2AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK, 3PAREXEL MMS, Hackensack, NJ, USA, 4Complete Medical Communications, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK
Abstract
Background: The majority of posters presented at
medical and scientific congresses are currently
produced using PVC-based lamination that is not
biodegradable. The high number of posters and
handouts produced each year makes eco-friendly
solutions a key issue.
Purpose and Objective: To explore ways of developing
biodegradable or recyclable posters and handouts.
Methods: With help from two medical communication
agencies, a group of publication managers at
AstraZeneca explored eco-friendly alternatives to
current poster production methods.
Results: Of the laminate manufacturers researched,
many do not carry eco-friendly laminates suitable for
scientific posters. A corn-based gloss laminate was
considered until it was taken off the market. Alternatively,
posters could be printed on heavier stock that does not
require lamination. Biodegradable foam board was ruled
out because of cumbersome shipping. Recycled paper
cannot be used since surface coating may not produce
consistent print quality. Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC)-certified paper is an eco-alternative but is not
available for large poster production. Handouts could be
printed on FSC paper with no increase in cost or on
recycled paper but cost would increase by 15%.
Conclusion: Advances in eco-friendly options for
scientific poster development are needed. Alternatives to
paper-based posters, such as electronic presentations,
should be considered in the context of cost and
environmental concerns (ie, equipment, electricity).
Purpose and Objective
The purpose of this study was to explore practical and
economically feasible options for producing
environmentally friendly posters and handouts.
Background
• A high number of posters and handouts are produced
and presented each year at medical and scientific
congresses around the world. A large psychiatric
association’s annual congress averaged 925 poster
presentations over the past 3 years.1 One medical
congress website noted over 40,000 congresses in
their database.2 A conservative estimate of an
average 50 posters at each of these events
translates to nearly 2 million poster presentations
each year.
Material
Laminate
• Details on available material/methods used in poster
and handout production are presented in Tables 1
and 2. Costs are estimated but subject to change
depending on poster size, poster board thickness,
percent of recycled content, etc. Handouts may be
easily produced using recycled paper, but factors
such as cost, availability, and practicality make
production of environmentally friendly posters a
challenge for now. Advances by manufacturers in the
development of eco-friendly, energy-conserving large
format printers3,4 that support responsible paper use,
low emissions, and reusable components are
promising.
Cost
Benefit
Issues
Standard, no increase in cost
Standard lamination readily available; prevents
tearing
Not biodegradable
Corn-based gloss laminate5
Unknown
Biodegradable
Removed from market because of unreliable
seal; poor readability
Aqueous coating6
Inexpensive
Water-based, biodegradable; faster drying
Not all printers can apply; not as compatible
with surfaces7
Biodegradable foam board
Unknown
3/16” thick; biodegradable foam center and
Forest Society-Certified (FSC) paper liners
Cannot be rolled; cumbersome shipping;
difficult to hang
Heavier stock paper
Increased
Biodegradable; does not require lamination
Poster could tear during transport or
hanging
Recycled paper (10-30%
post-consumer paper)
~15% increase in cost
Partly contains recycled materials;
biodegradable if not laminated
Often poor print quality, not readily
available; little control as to origination of
base ingredients, loose guidelines for use of
recycled symbol8
Silk art paper, 55% recycled
fiber content9
Increased
Conventional whiteness and quality
Large poster size difficult to find
Recycled paper (100%
post-consumer)5
At least 2-3 times increase in
cost
Uses 100% recycled materials; biodegradable if
not laminated
FSC and SFI (Sustainable
Forestry Initiative)-certified
stock, Ancient Forest
Friendly stock10
Varies
Stock made using
renewable energy sources11
Increased
FSC and/or SFI certified papers verified through
"chain of custody" process to come from
responsibly managed forests. Ancient Forest
Friendly stock manufactured with high
percentage of post-consumer waste and no
virgin fiber from old-growth forests
Wind or solar power manufacturing process
Treeless stock11
Increased
Stock made from hemp or kenaf (member of
hibiscus family)
Very few mills producing this paper
Fabric12
$25 per square foot
Easier to carry, low cost, wrinkle-free after 45
minutes hanging, good print quality, washable
Unconventional appearance, may need to
be ironed
Ink
Vegetable/Soy-based inks13
Black ink higher; colored ink
comparable to petroleumbased inks
Has lower levels of VOC (volatile organ
compunds), reduces fewer harmful emissions
than traditional inks
Takes longer to dry, difficult to use on
coated papers
Electronic
epresenter14
No printing costs but costs of
electricity, equipment
No need to print/carry poster; electronic file sent
directly to congress, could make changes at the
last minute
No need to print/carry poster; electronic file sent
directly to congress, could make changes at the
last minute
No need to print/carry poster; electronic file sent
directly to congress, could make changes at the
last minute
Congress would need to provide
Paper
Methods
Results
Type
PVC-based
• Most posters presented at medical and scientific
congresses are printed on non-recycled paper using
non-biodegradable, PVC-based lamination. In this
study, we reviewed possible solutions for producing
eco-friendly posters and handouts.
• A group of publication managers at AstraZeneca and
representatives from two medical communication
agencies, PAREXEL MMS and Complete Medical
Communications, explored environmentally friendly
alternatives to current poster production methods.
We performed literature and Internet searches, polled
publication colleagues and spoke with
representatives from printing companies to determine
if biodegradable poster solutions exist and if they are
feasible to implement.
Conclusions
Table 1. Materials/Processes for Poster Production
• Advances in eco-friendly options for scientific poster
development are needed
• Alternatives to paper-based posters, such as
electronic presentations, should be considered in the
context of cost and environmental concerns (ie,
equipment, electricity)
• Development of large-format printers that use ecofriendly processes, paper, and ink may provide the
best solution for future production of environmentally
responsible posters
Considerations for Producing Posters and Handouts
LCD flat panel TV
No printing costs but costs of
electricity, equipment
Projector
No printing costs but costs of
electricity, equipment
Extra work and resources required for
manufacture makes it expensive; need to
order in bulk
Difficult to find at sizes larger than 27” x 39”;
reports of unreliable print quality; may need
to order in bulk
Difficult to find in large format
Congress would need to provide (too heavy
and cumbersome to be shipped/carried)
Congress would need to provide; attendees
walking in front of projector could disrupt
presentation, difficult to read
 Will the poster be reused, ie, presented at another congress?
 Will the poster be shipped after the congress?
– If yes, may need heavier stock or laminate to prevent
tearing
– If no, may use recycled, unlaminated paper
 Is electronic equipment (ie, ePresenter, flat screen TVs,
projectors) available at the congress to display the poster?
This may depend on the venue facilities
– If yes, present as electronic poster
 Does the congress have confidential recycling bins for use
after the poster presentation? This may depend on the venue
facilities
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Table 2. Materials for Handout Production
Type
Material
Paper
Cost
Issues
FSC paper
No increase in cost versus standard paper
Print quality identical to art paper
Recycled paper15
~15% increase in cost
Higher costs
Art paper
Increase
Can include as much as 80% materials of recycled origin; quality
questionable
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
http://www.apa.org
http://www.medical-congresses.com
http://www.wide-formatimaging.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId
=2&id=2450&pageNum=3
http://www.oceusa.com/main/product_group.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=253437430
2164144
Correspondence with Mark Haley, Aztec Printing, Wilmington, DE.
Ink and Ideas. Aqueous Coating. http://inkandideas.com/Aqueous%20Coating.htm
Professional Photographer. Liquid Lamination versus Film Lamination. Compiled by
James “Jim” Tatum, VP, Drytac liquid coating division http://www.ppmag.com/webexclusives/2009/01/liquid-lamination-versus-film.html
http://www.treecycle.com/papers/we_lived.html
http://www.alocalprinter.com/uk/prices
http://savoirprint.com/sitehelp/help/helpful_subjects/recycled+and+green.html
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/techplan/page5675.cfm
http://www.posterdocs.com/pages/fabric.html
http://www.digitalroom.com/Poster-Printing/Ink-Jet-Posters-Printing-Services/topic/posterdigital-printing-processing/electronic-poster.html
http://www.epresenter.com.au/
http://www.paperco.co.uk/9lives/
Poster sponsored by AstraZeneca