Education

July 16, 2025

Tackling Digital Printing Waste in Bengaluru, India

# India

# Sustainability

# Strategy

# Leadership

Thomas Manil Rego of Embee Flexilabel Private Limited covers shares the sustainability landscape of Bengaluru, India's "Silicon Valley."

By Thomas Manil Rego, Director, Embee Flexilabel Private Limited

As India’s "Silicon Valley," Bengaluru has emerged as a hub for digital printing services. Its booming tech sector, vibrant startup ecosystem and thriving fashion and textile industry havecontributed to a significant rise in demand for customized, fast and flexible printing solutions. However, behind the rapid expansion lies a pressing environmental issue: digital printing waste. From paper and ink to solvents and elastic, the industry’s by-products are contributing to the landfill burden and carbon emissions.

This article explores the scale of the problem, its environmental impact and strategies for sustainable management.

The digital printing landscape in Bengaluru

The growth of digital printing in Bengaluru has been fueled by a blend of economic, cultural and technological factors:

Startup culture: Bengaluru’s status as India’s startup capital has created a strong demand for marketing materials such as brochures, banners and pitch decks. Digital printing meets this need by offering fast, affordable and highly customisable solutions that align with the agile pace of startups.

Fashion and textile sector: The city is also a hub for fashion and textile businesses, many of which rely on digital fabric printing for rapid design iterations and small-batch production. This allows them to stay ahead in a trend-driven market.

Personalisation trends: Consumers today seek personalised products like custom T-shirts, home décor and gifting items. Digital printing empowers businesses to meet these expectations through on-demand, made-to-order offerings.

Technological advancements: Cutting-edge methods such as direct-to-garment (DTG) and sublimation printing have significantly improved output quality, speed and cost-efficiency. These technologies have broadened the applications and accessibility of digital print services.

Environmental promise: When implemented thoughtfully, digital printing can be more sustainable than traditional methods. It typically consumes less water and uses fewer harsh chemicals, positioning it as a relatively greener choice for modern printing needs.

India’s total digital printing market is set to grow from $1.4 billion in 2024 to $2.9 billion by 2033. As a subset, custom T-shirt printing in India was valued at $570.5 million in 2024, and is projected to reach more than $1 billion by 2032.

Understanding the scale of the problem

Digital printing waste may seem invisible, but the numbers reveal a different story. Globally, offices generate millions of tons of paper waste every year, with the average employee printing around 31 pages per day. In Bengaluru alone, the BBMP handles 3,000 to 3,500 tons of solid waste daily — of which a significant portion is dry waste, and over 20% of that is paper and cardboard. When combined with ink waste, these materials contribute to rising CO₂ emissions and increasing pressure on landfills.

Digital printing generates waste at every step:

Pre-printing: Includes design proof paper, films, printing plates, toner and chemical developers.

During printing: Paper usage, ink consumption, solvent runoff and emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Post-printing: Waste from adhesives, metallic components, and on bio-degradableplastic substrates. To put it into perspective, printing 10,000 sheets per year (a common output for an office worker) results in the loss of one tree and the emission of approximately 60 kg of CO₂.

Sustainability's advantages and challenges

While digital printing is often seen as a more sustainable alternative to traditional methods, its environmental impact depends on how it's used. Below are the key sustainability advantages as well as the ongoing challenges that need to be addressed.

Advantages

Lower water consumption: Digital printing processes typically require little to no water, unlike traditional methods such as offset printing that depend heavily on water for plate preparation and cleaning.

Reduced chemical usage: The use of toners and eco-friendly inks in digital printers significantly reduces reliance on hazardous chemicals, making the process cleaner and safer.

Reduced inventory: Digital printing allows for exact quantities to be printed as needed, which helps eliminate overproduction and excess inventory — major sources of paper waste.

Energy efficiency: Digital printers usually consume less energy for setup and operation, particularly for short print runs or customised jobs, contributing to lower overall energy use.

Less material waste: Since digital printing does not require plates, films or screens, it generates less waste from consumables and setup materials.

Challenges

Despite its benefits, digital printing still presents several environmental concerns that need careful management:

E-waste generation: Printer components such as cartridges, print heads and chips often have short lifespans and contribute to electronic waste if not properly recycled.

VOC emissions: Some solvent-based digital inks release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which can degrade indoor air quality and contribute to atmospheric pollution.

Plastic substrate use: Digital printing supports a wide variety of materials, including plastics and vinyl. Improper disposal of these non-biodegradable substrates adds to long-term environmental waste.

Short equipment lifespan: Rapid technological upgrades in the printing industry often lead to early obsolescence of machines, increasing the burden of e-waste.

Toward a sustainable future in Bengaluru

To build a circular economy in printing, institutions, offices, and individuals must collaborate:

Establish on-site recycling systems for paper and cartridges.

Partner with BBMP’s Dry Waste Collection Centres (DWCCs) and local recyclers.

Conduct periodic audits to track usage patterns and identify areas for waste reduction.

Switch to eco-friendly printers and non-toxic inks.

Launch internal awareness campaigns to promote responsible habits.

Involve students and youth groups in sustainability projects and print reduction drives.

In addition to those steps, implementing energy-efficient infrastructure can significantly reduce a print environment’s carbon footprint. This includes using energy-star rated printers, LED lighting, motion-sensor systems and incorporating renewable energy sources like solar power. Smart scheduling of print jobs during low-energy periods and automatic shutdown features for idle devices further contribute to energy conservation.

Companies can also offset their paper usage and emissions by supporting or launching tree-planting campaigns. For example, linking the number of prints to trees planted can create accountability and encourage print reduction. Partnerships with afforestation NGOs or incorporating green credits into sustainability reports can reinforce long-term environmental commitments.

Employee engagement

Building a culture of sustainability starts with people. Hosting workshops, eco challenges and reward-based initiatives can encourage employees to adopt sustainable printing behaviours. Regular communication, gamification of eco-goals and transparency in reporting progress can foster a sense of ownership and collective responsibility among staff.

Beyond individual practices, system-level reforms are needed for lasting impact:

Set up centralised waste sorting and recycling hubs in tech parks and commercial areas.

Provide tax or recognition incentives to companies that adopt paperless or low-print operations.

Make annual reporting on print waste and e-waste mandatory for large organisations.

Invest in digital alternatives — like cloud collaboration and e-signatures — to reduce the need for physical printing.

Encourage eco-certification of print vendors and suppliers.

Scale up bulk ink refill programs and cartridge take-back schemes across your city.

Foster partnerships between industry and academia to develop data-driven waste tracking and innovative reduction methods.

Digital printing may offer speed, flexibility and creative freedom — but it also bears a hidden environmental cost. By combining people, policies and technology, especially in forward-looking cities like Bengaluru, we can turn the tide on digital print waste. With sustainable choices and collective effort, the print industry can be a powerful ally in building a greener future.

Innovating Print, Together

Tackling Digital Printing Waste in Bengaluru, India

Thomas Manil Rego of Embee Flexilabel Private Limited covers shares the sustainability landscape of Bengaluru, India's "Silicon Valley."

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