Creating an eco-friendly screen printing shop doesn’t mean overhauling everything at once. In fact, some of the most effective changes come from thoughtful, everyday practices. That’s what makes Print Renegades stand out. This Los Angeles-based print shop has built sustainability into the foundation of how they work. Their methods are approachable, practical, and seriously inspiring.
They shared their mindset and process in the video below. From skipping the dumpster to turning rags into wearable art, their story proves that being eco-conscious is not just possible. It's powerful.
Start with a simple mindset shift
For Print Renegades, sustainability starts with personal accountability. They don’t even keep a dumpster at their shop. Why? It forces them to think carefully about what gets thrown away. Trash goes home with the team, so reducing it becomes a priority, not an afterthought.
This kind of mindset keeps waste in check and makes everyone more conscious about what comes in, what gets reused, and what truly needs to go out.
Reduce: The first and most powerful step
Before you reuse or recycle, focus on reducing the amount of waste in the first place. That means saying no to unnecessary packaging, declining shipments with excessive plastic, and rethinking how jobs are prepped and produced. Smaller prints and fewer colors mean less ink use and cleaner screens. Every bit adds up.
If you're looking for lower-impact print methods, explore water-based inks for soft prints with fewer emissions. Or take sustainability even further with Living Ink’s algae-based pigments.
RELATED: How to Recycle Screen Printing Film Positives
Reuse with purpose
Print Renegades built a full-circle reuse system in their shop. It starts with misprints and damaged shirts. These become test print tees. Once they’re covered front to back, they’re cut into shop rags. Each rag goes through a lifecycle, used to clean screens, wiped down, washed, and reused again.
And when they’ve hit the end of their shop life, they’re passed on to a local designer who turns the scraps into new garments. Not every shop can take it that far, but the idea is simple: don't throw it out if it still has a use.
Recycle your boxes the smart way
Like most shops, Print Renegades receives hundreds of boxes each year filled with blank garments. Instead of tossing them, they created a process to flip the boxes inside out, tape them clean, and rebrand them with a sticker. This keeps packaging looking professional without creating more waste. It's a win for aesthetics and the environment.
Use greener cleaners
One of the biggest environmental impacts in screen printing comes from the chemicals used in reclaiming and cleaning. Swapping traditional solvents for Sgreen® eco-friendly chemicals makes a huge difference. Made with soy and citrus, they’re safer for your shop and gentler on the planet. And you don’t sacrifice performance.
RELATED: Darkroom Optimization 101: How Many Screens Does Your Shop Really Need?
Reduce your impact without sacrificing your standards
Print Renegades shows us that being eco-conscious doesn’t mean giving up quality, branding, or efficiency. It’s about making smarter choices with what you already have. Whether it’s reusing boxes, turning old tees into rags, or switching to water-based inks and Sgreen® chemicals, there’s always a way to make your shop more sustainable.
Want to do more?
You don’t need a huge team or a massive budget to reduce your environmental footprint. Start with what you can control. One change at a time, one decision at a time. Rethinking your waste stream might feel small, but it creates real momentum and it sets the tone for your shop’s values.
RELATED: How to Do Eco-Friendly Screen Printing
Keep printing, keep improving
Every shop has a different path toward sustainability. Let Print Renegades’ story serve as a guide. Stay creative. Stay conscious. And keep finding new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Your craft can help build a better future.