We all know that CDs are made of plastic. They can’t be made from anything else but optical grade polycarbonate. However, the plastic content is only a small part of the overall disc package. We believe we can make the biggest environmental contribution by providing our customers with sustainable alternatives.
So is a green disc possible? Absolutely!
We work hard to provide you with high quality, affordable products that reduce our carbon footprint.
Here are some of the steps Disc Makers takes towards affordable eco-friendliness:
- Designing and promoting green products: We are the only factory to have invested in fully automated Digipak printing, assembly, and packaging, allowing independent artists to afford premium retail packaging. We even rolled out new eco-wallets and other packaging options entirely without plastic — all printed on recycled board.
- Recycled board: All our board packaging (e.g. Digipaks, jackets, eco-wallets, etc) is printed on stock that contains at least 10% post-consumer recycled content, and comes from mills that procure raw materials from lands that are forested in a sustainable manner, without clear cutting.
- Vegetable based inks: We have been printing with non-toxic vegetable-based inks for years. In fact, we’ve learned that these biodegradable inks produce some of the richest and most vibrant colors we’ve ever seen.
- Internal recycling: We have an aggressive internal recycling program for all recyclable waste. We also recycle all office materials throughout our facility.
- Sourcing recycled and/or reduced plastic components: We are continually looking for plastic products (like CD jewel case trays) that either use less plastic or are made from recycled plastic. So far, we’ve had modest successes — e.g. with our 100% recycled black Digipak trays — and will continue to proactively seek out more alternatives.
- Smaller quantities to reduce unused items: Our factory allows us to efficiently produce small quantities of replicated products — down to 300 units. And if you need even less, our online Short Run Self Service option allows you to get exactly the quantity you need, even if it’s just 50, 10, or even one disc.
- Lighter disc packaging options to reduce shipping: Many of the carbon emissions generated by industry come from trucking, flying, or shipping. By designing and promoting lighter weight, no-plastic packaging alternatives, we reduce the weight and volume your product takes up when we ship to you. That means lower carbon emissions during transportation, and lower shipping rates.
What is the difference between recycled-content and post-consumer recycled content?
A recycled-content product is an item that contains recovered materials, which are wastes that have been diverted from conventional disposal such as landfills for another use. Recovered materials include both pre-consumer and post-consumer wastes.
Pre-consumer materials are generated by manufacturers and processors, and may consist of scrap, trimmings, and other by-products that were never used in the consumer market.
Post-consumer material is an end product that has completed its life cycle as a consumer item and would otherwise have been disposed of as a solid waste. Post-consumer materials include recyclables collected in commercial and residential recycling programs, such as office paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastics, and metals.
