Many of you will wonder – Are these processes environmentally safe? We can assure you that, yes, both Foil Stamping and Embossing are completely eco-friendly and you should have no concerns about any negative long-term effects that your designs will have on the environment. This is especially true of “blind embossing”, where only the paper is used to create the image. Foil stamping poses no harm to the environment either, because it is a totally dry process. There are no solvents, inks, or vapors associated with the technique. In fact, foil stamped paper can also be recycled.
To be absolutely sure, two independent studies were conducted to determine the biodegradability and the recyclability of foil stamped paper.
The objective in the first study was to find any differences in the disintegration by biodegration in landfill disposals from a variety of substrates printed with different foils. After six weeks, little degradation had occurred. But after twelve weeks, there was a significant difference – clearly showing that foil had no visible effect on the rate of biodegration, and all samples were completely broken down.
The second study was conducted to see whether the presence of foil affected the repulpability of the paper substrate. The results found that the foil and ink present in the samples were successfully removed by the flotation de-inking process with no troublesome tacky particles remaining once the paper was re-pulped.
So create freely, knowing the embossed and foil stamped designs you produce today may be recycled into other designs tomorrow. That is, if anyone is heartless enough to part with your incredible works of art.
From the Foil Stamping & Embossing Association
http://www.fsea.com/Designersclub/DCenvironment.htm