May 28, 2026
Sustainability is showing up in procurement conversations across local government, and election services are no exception. Boards of election are being asked to think about paper sourcing, ink choices, freight efficiency, and what happens to materials after the election is over. The encouraging news: most of those choices are available without giving up the security or accuracy that ballots require. Here's a practical look.
Where Sustainability Shows Up in Ballot Production
Paper is the easiest place to start. Recycled-content stock, FSC-certified paper, and lighter weights all reduce environmental impact when the security requirements still get met. Soy-based and vegetable-based inks have become standard for many printers, and they work well for ballot applications. Less obvious choices add up too: efficient layout to reduce waste, on-demand printing to avoid over-runs, and right-sized packaging that uses less fiber. These aren't sacrifices in quality. In most cases they're alignment between modern production practices and the materials elections require. The point is to ask the question early, so the choice gets built into the spec instead of being added at the end.
Sustainable Choices in Election Mailings
Mailings carry their own set of sustainability decisions, from envelope materials to freight planning. A shorter list of practical steps boards can ask about:
• Recyclable envelopes and inserts that avoid mixed materials
• Right-sized shrink wrap and packaging to cut excess plastic
• Route-optimized freight delivery rather than open shipping
• Consolidated mailings that reduce the total number of touchpoints
• Documented disposal or return processes for any unused stock
These steps don't change what voters receive in their mailboxes. They change what happens behind the scenes to get it there. Most are choices a board can specify alongside its other security and timing requirements.
Make It Part of the Spec, Not the Afterthought
Whether you're spec'ing ballot services or election mailings, sustainability fits cleanly into the same conversation as security and timing. At Phoenix Election Printing, eco-friendly practices are part of the standing approach, not an add-on. Boards that include sustainability in the original specification almost always end up with cleaner production runs and easier compliance reporting later. Adding it after the proof is finalized is where the cost and friction show up.
Curious how to make your next election cycle more sustainable without giving up security? Get in touch. We'll walk through what's actually achievable.
