The Environmentally friendly apparel company, Dirt-LA, will also auction online, a limited edition commemorative scarf, designed by Artist McKenzie and inspired by the movie poster through eBay.  A portion of the proceeds will go directly to EMA.

“The Penitent Man” movie premiere will take place on Wednesday, May 26^th at 8:00pm at the W Hotel Hollywood, located at 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028. This exclusive red carpet event hopes to raise funds and awareness to support the Environmental Media Association in educating the general public about environmental issues.

About the Artist: Mixed Media Painter, McKenzie, has used her award-winning art to raise funds and awareness for causes close to her heart for over 20 years. She has created, Inku Art, which utilizes state-of-the- art green practices and technologies in the field of art creation and design.

About Dirt-LA: Dirt-LA strives to transform the eco-fashion industry by providing designer collections that infuse complete earth-conscious fabrics, processes and inks with aggressive colors and lines. Using the paintings from eco-artist McKenzie, their new approach to sustainable clothing rebels against the more traditional and mundane products and represents the new direction of earth-friendly clothing. Dirt-LA also contributes their efforts to various local and national charities including the Music Cares Foundation and the Grammy Foundation.

About the Movie: Nicholas Gyeney’s Film, The Penitent Man, starring Lance Henriksen,  tells the story of psychologist Dr. Jason Pyatt, a man devoted to his work – a man torn from his family. With his struggling marriage and mounting bills, Jason is at a crossroads with the life he has chosen and the life he could have. When one of his clients – the mysterious Mr. Darnell – walks into his office and paints him a repentant tale of future economic and moral collapse, Jason’s eyes are forever opened. With the help of his best friend Ovid, he embarks on a personal mission to change the course of his future, and possibly the world, forever.

For more information please email us at artgallery@mckenzieartstudio.com

http://www.mirrorimagesltd.com

http://www.McKenzieArtStudio.com

http://www.dirtla.com

http://www.ema-online.org

Artist McKenzie original painting for the Nicholas Gyeney film, The Penitent Man, starring Lance Henriksen. Proceeds to benefit www.Ema-online.org

Eco Artist McKenzie paints to benefit the Grammy Foundation's MusiCares

Award-winning Artist McKenzie donates Original Eco Art Painting to the 20th Anniversary Grammy Foundation’s MusiCares Silent Auction to take place on  January 29, 2010 in Los Angeles.  The painting entitled, ”Sound Waves”  is appraised at $27,500.00 and will raise funds to benefit music people in critical need.  McKenzie’s eco-friendly, mixed-media painting of Neil Young, the MusiCares 2010 Person of the Year, marks the third year that the artist has participated in, and donated a work to the event.

Inku Art- Art to save the planet

Artist McKenzie, known as the “Hollywood Charity Artist” is quickly being renamed
 the “Hollywood ECO Artist” for her newest passion; Inku Art.™ 

Artist McKenzie, an award-winning oil painter whose collectors are some of
Hollywood’s elite, was stricken with a devastating environmental illness thought
by doctors to be triggered by years of exposure to toxic materials in the art
creating process. This sickness propelled her life-changing mission to discover
and create an innovative way to produce HEALTHY, EARTH SENSITIVE fine art and
fine art prints– She calls it Inku Art.™  

“This Hyper-Green art process is changing the way fine art
is made.  It is sustainable, non-toxic, planet-friendly, and made with the
highest environmental value and standards available today.  In fact, it is
SO safe that it is currently being used in hospitals, nurseries, and dwellings
everywhere where air quality is essential.  It even meets LEED requirements
in numerous categories.” says manager Steve Rice.

The process begins with McKenzie’s painting on recycled substrate with
non-toxic pigments. These paints are VOC-free and are created using
earth-friendly methods. The painting is then scanned using wind-powered
facilities.  The image is then printed on sugarcane or bamboo fine art
paper, using cutting edge, state-of-the-art technology.  The frames are
made from compressed sawdust waste and the art is shipped in recycled
packaging.  The entire process involves the most environmentally sensitive
products and businesses available. 100% of the profits from the art is donated
to environmental causes.

“Few people realize the true impact of the printing and paper pulp
industries on our health and our planet.  Toxic chemicals are making their
way into the water, air and soil.  The pulp and paper industry is one of
the largest and most polluting industries in the world; it is the third most
polluting industry in North America. The printing industry is just as polluting
coupled with toxic VOC’s being released into the air and consequently our
lungs!,” says gallery manager, Viv Smith.

Artist McKenzie’s message is being heard loud and clear.  Companies and
Individuals designing and renovating their buildings/ homes under the LEED
program are ecstatic with the new art and the company is being flooded with
orders. “Our building needed Art to make it come alive.  Why would we
choose art that off-gasses toxic chemicals and contributes to the pollution on
our planet when there is an alternative? It was a no-brainer,” says
Architect and Green Designer Albert Cook.

Inku Art.™ will soon be seen aboard the GreenTrain.  “I am honored to be part of The Green Train.  Their
message promotes environmental awareness, education, and unity across America.
The project will change our Planet in an awe inspiring way.  Knowledge is
power. ” says Artist McKenzie.

To read more about Inku Art.™ , Artist McKenzie, or The Green Train please visit www.McKenzieArtStudio.com

McKenzie’s paintings have been featured at charitable events with
celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Ellen Degeneres, George Clooney, Cameron Diaz,
Demi Moore, and many others.

 The Green Train – a rockin’ and rollin’ trek across the nation that
will educate, entertain and change our world, one mile at a time!

Green Train Project

Top-notch entertainers will be participating in a series of 30 live
“whistle-stop” performances along the cross country route. Celebrities,
environmentalists and sport figures will join in on the act either in person or
via satellite. Environmental organizations and groups will be providing factual
information, answering questions and providing solutions as the train travels
from rural communities to large cities.

Years in the making, the Green Train Project is the brainchild of Robert
Wolf, organizer of the mega-successful “We are the World”
simulcast held in 1985. When the train departs Portland in April, it will mark
the 25th anniversary of the simulcast.

The final destination for the Green Train will be Washington D.C. where a
show-stopping concert will take place. Wolf will be on hand asking all Americans
to unite by turning off the tap, switching off light bulbs and unplugging the
toaster. People will be able to see how much water and energy has been saved. 
A European journey is also planned for 2011. 

First Ever Eco-Friendly Fine Art Prints that Raise Awareness and Funds for Green Causes

Laguna Beach, Ca  

Award-winning Fine Artist McKenzie is often referred to as the “Hollywood Charity Artist” for her tireless efforts to support causes close to her heart using her paintings as a catalyst for change.  McKenzie, one of the top selling artists in the country, has sold thousands of fine art prints of her masterful paintings.  It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with a form of Lupus, thought to be brought on by contact with environmental toxins, that she began her passionate study of the 125 Billion dollar Printing/Paper/Pulp Industries; which happen to be among the #1 and #3 polluters on the Planet.

“McKenzie’s Doctor suspected that the solvents used in her oil paintings, mixed media processes, and print-making could have triggered the medical condition,” says Manager Steve Rice. “She formed a team of experts, and together they created the first ever, start-to-finish, Eco-Friendly Art Print Series that raises funds for Environmental causes.  100% of the Profits are Donated!”.

Artist McKenzie now creates her original paintings with proprietary solvent free paints on 100% natural canvas.  The paintings are converted into fine art prints on Bamboo Fine Art Paper using Eco-Friendly Inks and framed with Sustainable Wooden Frames.

“The best part is that I can have a gorgeous collectible piece of art on my wall, and I know that making it did not hurt the environment, in fact, it helped the environment by RAISING money for causes that protect the environment.  It is the coolest thing ever!” says long-time McKenzie collector, Vienna Townsend.

Artist McKenzie is on a crusade to increase world-wide awareness of these industries and their practices.  “As with anything, knowledge is power.  If people understand the environmental damage being done they will pressure the industries into greening their practices,” says the Artist. “We are asking everyone to watch the video and pass it on to 2 or 3 friends.”

The video can be watched on www.Revver.com, (Search “Artist McKenzie”) and generates revenue for every view. 100% of the revenue will also be donated to Green Causes. “I am passing the video on to all of my friends. I am in college and  I can’t afford to buy the art, or donate thousands to Green Causes…but I can spread the word by forwarding the video.  I feel like I am doing something to make a difference” says Jacob Wineman.

McKenzie’s Fine Art Eco Prints are currently available in select Fine Art Galleries, Green Online Stores, and www.EcoFyEstore.com

For more information about the artist,  please visit:  www. McKenzieArtStudio.com

Green printing helps preserve forests and forest habitats.

• A forest area the size of 20 football fields is lost every minute to paper production. (envirofacts.com)
• The Environmental Defense Fund estimates that 90 percent of the printing and writing paper in the United States is produced from virgin wood pulp. Producing 2,000 pounds (one ton) of virgin uncoated paper requires 6,000 pounds of wood.
• Producing a ton of paper using 100% post-consumer copy paper rather than virgin pulp saves the equivalent of 24 trees (forty feet in height and 6-8 inches in diameter). (conservatree.org)
• 42% of all the wood harvested for industrial purposes in the world goes to making paper. (woodwise.org)
• The magazine industry harvests more than 30 million trees every year for paper. That’s more than one tree every second. (woodwise.org)
• More than 70% of the paper in the world is made from wood taken from forests in regions with ecologically valuable, biologically diverse habitat. (woodwise.org)
• Tree plantations are home to about 90% fewer species than the forests that preceded them. (woodwise.org)

Eco-friendly printing helps keep toxic chemicals out of our environment and generates far fewer greenhouse gasses compared to conventional printing.

• The printing industry is the single largest polluter in the world. It is also the third largest consumer of fossil fuels, after the automobile and steel-manufacturing industries.
• The pulp and paper industry is the third largest industrial contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, after the chemical and steel industries, in the 30 nations of the OECD, of which the US is a member. (woodwise.org)
• Producing a ton of paper using 100% post-consumer copy paper rather than virgin pulp saves 4,100-kilowatt hours of electricity and 60 pounds of air pollution. (Californians Against Waste)

Printing green requires much less water than conventional printing.

• Producing a ton of virgin uncoated paper requires 19,075 gallons of water. (Environmental Defense Fund)
• Producing a ton of paper using 100% post-consumer copy paper rather than virgin pulp saves 7,000 gallons of water. (Californians Against Waste)
• The pulp and paper industry is the largest industrial consumer of water among OECD nations. (woodwise.org)
• Printers use trillions of gallons of water, which then has to be treated because of its toxicity.Green printing reduces the amount of solid waste going into landfills.
• Producing 2,000 pounds of virgin uncoated paper generates 2,278 pounds of solid waste. In other words, conventional paper production creates more waste than paper. (Environmental Defense Fund)
• The use of adhesives and foils in some conventional papers renders the final product un-recyclable. Millions of un-recyclable paper products are manufactured every day, all destined to wind up in landfills.

Keywords: Eco, green, eco-friendly art, sustainable, recycled, artist mckenzie, painting, greenhouse gas, climate change, deforestation

Artist McKenzie Donates 100% of profits from premier Eco Friendly Art Print Series to Support Earth Causes.

HOLLYWOOD, CA., June 23, 2008 -Award-winning Artist
McKenzie, whose original paintings are collected around the world, has released the First-Ever Earth-Friendly Art Print Series to raise funds to benefit Environmental Causes. “It completes the circle! Earth friendly
Art Prints with sustainable wood frames…and 100% of the profits are donated to help save the Planet. It is a no-brainer!”, says McKenzie Art collector at a recent release party.

“Many people don’t realize that the Printing Industry is the single largest
polluter in the world. It is also the third largest consumer of fossil fuels
following the automobile and steel-manufacturing industries. The paper and pulp industry
is the third largest industrial contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.!  We have worked long and hard at the McKenzie Art Studio to find a way to create an Eco Friendly Collectible Art Print that is from Start-to-Finish, earth friendly”, says Manager Steven Rice, “We have done just that!”

The “Hollywood Charity Artist” has long been recognized for her tireless efforts to raise funds and awareness for causes close to her heart using her paintings as a catalyst for change. In fact, The McKenzie Art Studio is in middle of an aggressive campaign to generate $1 Million dollars for charitable causes. “The Eco Art print series is a natural progression for us at the Gallery. McKenzie has always been passionate about the environment and since her
illness, has been on a fervent mission to make people aware of the toxins polluting our planet. It is our goal to help create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment”, says Gallery Coordinator Viv Smith.

How is it Done?

1. Artist McKenzie creates the Original Paintings using earth friendly paints made from natural, organic, non-toxic sources. 

2. The paintings are then scanned and printed using a “Green Printer”. This business is committed to improving the planet. Our printing partner donates a portion of its’ revenues to environmental organizations. 

3. The Collectible Limited Edition Art Prints are reproduced on high-quality renewable Hahnemühle Bamboo paper made with pure spring water. This is the FIRST EVER Fine Art paper made from bamboo fibers.
Hahnemühle donates a portion of the revenues to supporting environmental projects. 

4. Sustainable Forest Frames. We are committed to reducing our
environmental footprint in every possible way. The frames we use are never made from endangered species wood or protected forests. The wood materials come from managed forests. A Managed Forest is like a farm yield from a rotating crop. The crop gets replanted for later yields.

5. Donate. Donate. Donate. Donate. The 4x plan. A percentage of the printer’s revenue goes towards saving the environment. A percentage of the paper manufacturer’s revenue goes towards saving the environment. A percentage of the framer’s revenue goes towards saving the environment. Lastly, 100% of the profits from the Artist’s Revenue at
EcofyEstore.com goes towards saving the environment! 

Why are We Doing It?

Our mission at the EcofyEstore.com , and
McKenzieArtStudio.com is to lead the way in sustainable, environmentally responsible, Green Living Style. We call it “Eco Style with a Conscience”. We aim to be the number one resource for Eco Art and to change the Art Printing Industry as a whole. 

“An Eco Art purchase from EcofyEstore.com
may not appear to make a discernable difference, but the reality is that is creates a growing wave in the Art Industry and the Economy. When a large amount of people begin supporting Sustainable, Green businesses, these waves begin to have a profound effect on our Planet and our Society”, says Artist McKenzie. “Only by the majority of us taking action and being
Green Consumers will we begin to reduce the damage to our planet and eco-systems. I believe it is our responsibility to demonstrate that we can successfully align
art, business, social, and environmental interests to build a more sustainable future
for all of us.” 

The Eco Art Print Series by Artist McKenzie is available at http://www.EcoFyEstore.com and at Fine Art Galleries around the world. The print series will soon be featured in an upcoming Television Documentary and in an Eco-Friendly Collectible Art Book on the career of the artist.

For more information please contact the studio directly at 888-368-5213. 

About the Artist: McKenzie is the winner of the first Annual ARTV Fine Art
Awards for Mixed Media. Her art is in galleries across the United States and has
been featured in many publications, installations and films. There are waiting
lists for her original paintings. She and her art have appeared at many
environmental and charitable  fundraising events with celebrity guests such
as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Natalie Portman,
Harrison Ford, and many others.

Keywords: artist mckenzie, eco art, green, sustainable. environmental,
ecofyestore.com, planet, mckenzieartstudio.com, eco style, green business, art,
prints, original paintings, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward
Norton, Natalie Portman, Harrison Ford.

Artist McKenzie releases 1st ever Eco-Friendly Art Print Series to raise funds to benefit the Environment by Patricia West 

“What an innovative idea!” exclaims environmental activist and art collector, Jamie Viscott, while viewing the ground-breaking print series. “She is completing the circle. Eco-responsibly produced Art whose profits are donated to causes that benefit the environment. Wow. It is just a no-brainer.”

It is true. Many people are going green these days; doing the right thing for our planet. Eco home decor products abound— Eco-friendly rugs, tiles, furniture, appliances; Everything you can think of for your home BUT Fine Art Prints and Frames— Until now.

“Why hasn’t there been any eco-friendly art available and why is it important?” asks a McKenzie Art Studio visitor during a recent gallery open house.

The answer is awareness. People just don’t know…

1. The printing industry is the single largest polluter in the world. 

2. The printing industry is also the 3rd largest consumer of fossil fuels following the automobile and steel-manufacturing industries. 

3. Printers use trillions of gallons of water, which then has to be treated because of its toxicity. 

4.  (VOC) Volatile organic compound. A highly evaporative, carbon-based chemical substance, which produces noxious fumes; found in many paints, caulks, stains, and adhesives. Thought to cause cancer in humans.

5.  More than 70% of the paper in the world is made from wood taken from forests in regions with ecologically valuable, biologically diverse habitats.

Artist McKenzie, known for her “Art Making a Difference” campaign has embarked on mission to change the Art, Paper, and Print Industry by educating the consumers who will in turn demand change. “The first part to sparking change is Awareness. Many people are not aware of the damaging VOCs from the printing industry; nor that a forest area the size of 20 football fields is lost every minute to paper production. It is a shame and doesn’t need to be that way. There are alternatives and we are going to be introducing them to the public.”

The Eco Responsible Art Print Series combines the use of Green Art Printers, Eco-Friendly Art Papers, and Sustainable Wood Frames. Even the original paintings are created using non-toxic paints. The Art Prints are now available at www.EcofyEstore.com, and soon in galleries across the country.

visit www.mckenzieartstudio.com to read more about the artist

visit www.EcofyEstore.com to purchase a print and contribute to environmental causes.

“Stream of Fire” Oil on Canvas by Artist McKenzie

Available as an Eco-Friendly Limited Edition Art Print.  100% of the Profits to benefit Environmental Organizations!

View Gallery: http://mckenzieartstudio.ifp3.com/

Visit Official Homepage  http://www.McKenzieArtStudio.com

Hollywood, California-May 2008-
“It is about time that we change the industry. Artists AND their Patrons
need to demand eco-friendly methods…Or NOTHING is going to change. I am
willing to lead the way,” says Artist McKenzie. 

“McKenzie is very passionate about the environment and has raised awareness
and funds for many green causes.  Her motto “Art Making a
Difference”  is truer than ever. McKenzie feels a need to use her art
to get the message out about the importance of protecting the environment- and
it has proven very effective so far.  I am sure that in a very short time
other artists and collectors will join her; and will cause a huge shift in the
way the business of Art Prints is done,” says her publicist.

Why the concern?

Just read this:

 The printing industry is the single largest air polluter and the
third-largest consumer of fossil fuels in the world after automobiles and steel
manufacturing. Nearly everyday trillions of gallons of water that must be
treated for its toxic chemical content is then released back into our water
channels.

Print vendors using traditional methods and products such as virgin-fiber
paper, petroleum-based inks, toxic solvents, and chlorine-bleached papers also
utilize adhesives, bindings, and foils for printing and packaging and can render
the final product un-recyclable. 

Also,  petroleum-based inks can cause lasting damage to the environment.
It can leach volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) 
which are known to cause cancer and birth defects into the ground.  It may
contaminate the soil, the groundwater, and ultimately the air.

Many of the solvents, shellacs, driers, and other solutions employed in
producing film, printing plates, and cleaning the presses are toxic pollutants
that can cause chronic health problems such as; kidney and liver damage, and
ultimately death among press operators.  This  according to the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

All this and we haven’t even mentioned the impact on our forests! 

What is the answer? 

“Outrage…We live in a consumer-driven economy.  Companies will do
anything to fulfill demand and keep the lead in their industry.  This means
that the demand MUST be for eco-friendly printing methods and paper–and this
starts with the Artists and their Patrons,” says the McKenzie Gallery
Manager.

Artist McKenzie is determined to have a product which itself is true to her
philosophy of conservation and sustainability. “We have searched 
for the right paper, ink, and environmentally friendly businesses to partner
with.  We hope that our collectors and supporters around the world will
join us in making a change that will eventually impact us all.”

Please visit http://www.McKenzieArtStudio.com
to view the Eco-Friendly Print Series and to read more about the McKenzie
Gallery’s efforts to protect the environment.  100% of the profits from the
website go to green and charitable causes.

Here are some tips to keep in mind: (Tips thanks to www.dynamicgraphics.com)

1. Learn the lingo.

You’ll need to be familiar with industry jargon to appropriately select
environmentally friendly papers. Here are a few terms you’ll often see:

• Virgin fiber—100-percent “pure” fiber from an original source
• Post-consumer content—Waste recovered from consumers and recycled
• VOCs—Volatile organic compounds (such as occur in petroleum-based
  printing ink)
• PCF—Processed chlorine-free
• TCF—Totally chlorine-free
• ECF—Elemental chlorine-free

2. Preserve and conserve.

The Recycled Products Cooperative estimates that over 100 million trees are cut
each year to supply fiber for writing and printing papers in the United States.
This is not only detrimental to forests, but to air quality and water reserves
as well.

One way to preserve resources is to purchase recycled paper with high levels
of post-consumer content. Using recycled paper saves landfill space and
minimizes water and energy consumption. Check recycling symbols to see what
percentage of recycled fiber was used during the manufacturing process.

3. Think about ink.

Do you know how your printer disposes of unused ink? If you’re unsure, ask.
Petroleum-based inks leach VOCs—which cause cancer and birth defects—into
the soil when printed papers end up in landfills. These toxins can also be
released into the air as fresh inks dry.

Soy ink is an excellent alternative to petroleum based inks. Soy ink uses
soybean oil that’s naturally low in VOCs. This smart substitute is
sustainable, efficient, and cost-competitive. Many newspapers, magazines
(including this one), and other materials are now printed with soy ink.

4. Do it digitally.

 Digital is ideal for short-run, four-color work for business cards,
stationery, promotional pieces, and most print work that is less than 1,000
sheets of 14 x 20 inches.

This printing method even has advantages over soy inks. While soy is
comprised of 86-percent oil—which isn’t biodegradable—digital printing
uses 100-percent nontoxic toner. Toner-based inks also produce less chemical
waste.

5. Consider alternative papers.

Move over, pulp-based paper. A number of alternatives to traditional papers are
now available, and Barber recommends several “tree-free” varieties, such as
Denim Blues (100-percent reclaimed blue jean cotton), and synthetic papers by
Yupo because of their environmental attributes and durability.

For certain projects, Barber suggests papers made from Kenaf and hemp, and a
newer paper called TerraSkin, which is made from ground stone. “TerraSkin is
almost as strong as [synthetic] FedEx envelopes and it prints like a coated
sheet,” he says. It also uses less ink, and is nontoxic and waterproof.

6. Choose better bleaching solutions.

Brighter, whiter papers are created by various bleaching processes. It’s a
good idea to have a basic understanding of how manufacturers process their
products so that you can select the best, most environmentally friendly papers
for your projects.

Elemental chlorine was once extensively used to brighten paper products, but
now chlorine dioxide (used in swimming pools) is a common substitute. This
process yields ECF papers. Although chlorine compounds are safer than pure
chlorine, some pollution still results. Better choices include PCF and TCF
bleaching, which substitute oxygen-based compounds for chlorine compounds. Only
the recycled portion of a recycled sheet has been bleached with PCF. Fewer TCF
papers are available today because most papers contain some recycled content—TCF
relates only to 100-percent virgin papers.

Only products deemed acceptable by the Chlorine Free Products Association are
granted PCF and TCF emblems. Look for the symbols when purchasing recycled paper

7. Educate your clients.

Many companies today are concerned with producing print materials and packaging
made with sustainable resources. IBM, Coca-Cola, and Mc-Donald’s are just a
few major businesses making an effort to publish shareholder reports on
100-percent recycled post-consumer content. But not all clients are familiar
with “green” design and printing processes. You may find that you need to
act as an eco-friendly project advisor.

8. Practice what you preach.

Set a good example to convince others to follow your lead. Consider
incorporating these methods:

• Conserve ink use by determining whether print projects need to be full
  color. Could a two-color design suffice instead?
• Maximize ink staying power by substituting a Pantone color for metallic
  inks, which tend to degrade. (This reduces VOC emissions, too.)
• Avoid wasting paper by designing to standard press sheet sizes (e.g., 23 x
  35, 25 x 38, 26 x 40, 28 x 40). If a job is large enough, your printer can
  order a special sheet size from the mill. Since paper is sold by the pound,
  this approach can also save your client money.

9. Offset cost with creativity.

Some environmentally friendly products may be a bit more expensive. It’s
important, however, not to view pricing issues as constraints. Instead, think
creatively to help balance benefits with costs.

Design multifunctional projects—e.g., self mailer/ program combos—to
economize when using more expensive paper. Also, combining projects whenever
possible is wise; one idea is to print business cards and postcards from the
same recycled paper. In the long run your clients may save money, and they’ll
also be honoring the environment.

10. Know industry standards.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that federal agencies must
use uncoated printing and writing papers containing at least 30-percent
post-consumer content. Coated and commodity papers must contain a minimum of 10
percent. Consider using these guidelines when selecting paper for your projects,
too.

Become familiar with other industry-issued standards. Important stamps of
approval include the emblems of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and
Chlorine Free Product Association (CFPA). For these symbols to appear on
products, they must meet specific standards determined by the International
Standards Organization (ISO).

11. Evaluate projects individually.

The first priority in design is to create an appealing, functional piece of
work. “It’s imperative to do good design from an aesthetic standpoint,”
Scalin says. But he also urges designers to consider options that will leave
behind less waste. “Lots of what’s designed is thrown in the trash. Using
recycled materials is necessary because so much is thrown away.”

If a client won’t switch to paper with a higher percentage of post-consumer
recycled content, try finding a way to reduce the number of pages used instead.
You might also recommend different paper types for different sections. For
example, some publications use high-quality coated paper for advertisements and
uncoated paper with higher post consumer content for editorial sections.

12. Stay informed.

Being environmentally responsible means staying current with new products and
practices. Check out the following to see what others are doing to help keep our
quality of life at a premium:

Conservation technology

• Waterless pressesWater washable inks eliminate VOCs from the printing process. www.waterless.org
• Windmill energyThis alternative energy source produces nonpolluting, wind-generated energy
  to manufacture 100- percent post-consumer paper. Mohawk Paper is a leader. www.mohawkpapers.com

Special interest groups

• Compostmodern.comThis conference premiered in 2004 and is aimed at environmentally conscious
  designers/artists. www.aigasf.org/compostmodern/compost.html
• Business for Social ResponsibilityAnnual conference where designers can meet, see, and hear from business
  leaders concerned with social responsibility issues.
• Graphic AllianceJoin a community of socially conscious designers. www.graphicalliance.org

Making a commitment to practice environmentally responsible design can be
challenging, but it’s doable and highly rewarding. Starting today will help
ensure a healthier quality of life for tomorrow.

of celebrities who go out of their way for the planet.The Hollywood actress won special mention by campaigners at the Green

website: http://www.grist.org They praised her work to save gorillas in Rwanda, her role as the spokesperson of a low-energy lightbulb company and the launch of her vegan shoe company.

Also, the organizers singled out a handful of celebrity “A-listers” as non-environmentally friendly.

The worst offenders were: David Beckham, because of the amount of airplane flights he takes annually; British model Elizabeth Hurley, for flying 250 guests to her 2007 wedding in India, and the Spice Girls, for their use of private jets