Sep 20, 2007

Leanin’ Tree Produces Greener Greeting Cards With New ‘Zero VOC’ Ink

Boulder, Colo. — Leanin’ Tree, Inc., a leading alternative greeting card company, has converted their printing operation to use a new “zero VOC” soy-based ink that eliminates harmful emissions into the environment. The company had used a low-VOC soy-based ink for years before switching to a zero-VOC ink new to the market.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature. The term “organic” indicates that the compounds contain carbon. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products including paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies and pesticides. VOCs are common ground-water contaminants and some compounds are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Additional health concerns include eye, nose, and throat irritation, and damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system.

Leanin’ Tree’s commitment to environmentally-friendly operations includes a public service tree planting program that plants two trees for every tree used in their promotional materials. The company’s greeting cards are printed on chlorine-free, recycled paper with 10 to 20 percent post-consumer content. In addition, all paper comes from forests managed by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), an independent organization that audits sustainable practices in paper products industries.

According to independent retailer surveys conducted by Giftbeat, the leading newsletter in the gift industry, Leanin’ Tree is America’s best-selling alternative greeting card company. The family-owned business was founded in 1949. For more information or to receive a free wholesale catalog, call (800) 525-0846 to speak with a service representative. tradeleanintree.com.