and fauna of Bermuda, it seemed especially appropriate to print it on re-cycled paper, using environment-friendly soy-based inks.

As far as was known, no-one had ever printed four-colour process work in Bermuda, using vegetable-based, or "green'' inks, so a series of test runs were made with the Island Press.

Ms. Alexis Outerbridge, Manager of Promotional Materials at the Department, says that the new brochure underlines their policy of targeting special interest groups. "Many of our visitors are extremely interested in the natural environment of the Island. And in these environmentally conscious days, it's important that Bermuda is seen to be encouraging the careful use of the world's diminishing natural resources. So when Hart Advertising produced the design of the brochure, we all decided that we would try to print it on re-cycled paper, using soy-based inks -- and place a seal, stating that we had done this on the back of the pamphlet. Everyone was pleased with the end result of the test, so we are going ahead with this process and hoping that all future pamphlets and guides will eventually be printed in this way,'' she said.

The soy-based inks are becoming an attractive -- and safe -- alternative to petroleum-based inks, which have traditionally been used on the high-speed presses for their quick-drying properties. "They do contain a lot of toxics and we need to raise general consciousness about this. This is an on-going, learning process and there are many unanswered questions about the extent of the environmental advantages of different types of re-cycled papers and soy inks, but it appears that the vegetable-based inks are definitely here to stay,'' says Ms. Outerbridge adding, "certainly in the US where one-third of the newspapers are using soy-based inks for their colour work. Island Press and Hart Advertising have been gathering a lot of information for us on environmentally friendly papers and inks. I think it is the responsibility of the printers and the agencies to gain the expertise, but it is the people hiring their services -- the clients -- who must insist that they do this for us.'' Mr. Paget Wharton, General Manager of the Bermuda Press agrees. He said: "We have been using re-cycled paper for about two years now. And I would estimate that within five years or so, soy-based inks will take over from petroleum.'' He points out that re-cycled paper actually consists of new paper mixed with mill-waste and says that most of their orders in Bermuda at the moment are for "continuous'' forms and computer paper.

Ms. Outerbridge notes: "Most people don't realise that for a long time we have been using paper that contains some re-cycled mill waste. Now the manufacturers are making an effort to use at least a small percentage of post-consumer waste, as well. And this is the paper we are most interested in.'' Miss Outerbridge said that Bermuda is still "not advanced'' in the recycling stakes. "Even paper made from all natural resources has to be disposed of correctly, or it will not degrade. We are on our way but we still have a long way to go and I would like to think of Bermuda as a major player in the environmental push that's going on around the world.'' She sees her Department's switch in production methods as part of that effort.

It seems a good place to start, as the Department of Tourism produces about 150 different promotional items each year.

"One of the problems,'' says Miss Outerbridge, "is that we have to maintain a good image with everything we produce. People like to see paper that is white and shiny and until recently, that was not always easy to achieve with recycled paper. People are used to seeing shiny white paper with a blue-white hue but Europe has led the way in bleaching paper, using a more environmentally friendly process and is producing lovely soft white, more on the creamy side. We have to remember that it is the photographs in our brochures that "sell'' Bermuda, so we have to be very sure about the final appearance of everything that we print. But the quality of re-cycled stocks is getting better all the time.'' The nature guide provides a map of Bermuda's parks, nature reserves, pictures and sketches of the Island's principal flowers, plants, and trees, as well as some of the birds and amphibians that call Bermuda "home.'' Adds Ms.

Outerbridge: "Though this is an on-Island brochure, I hope visitors will want to take it home with them when they leave.'' Following the policy of targeting special interest groups, this guide is to be sent to people who are on the Smithsonian Institute mailing list.

Ms. Outerbridge says it will be a simple matter to switch to uncoated, recycled paper for items such as rate sheets, which do not have to look polished. "But on the whole, it is important for Bermuda's image that our printing maintains a high quality visual image as well as being accurate. Much of the material, while attracting potential tourists is also educating people about our Island.

"Bermuda can be very proud of the quality of product that comes off our local printing presses -- the quality is up there with the best. Our computer-based desk-top publishing community is also very advanced. So we thought since vegetable based inks are the printing inks of the '90s and into the future, now is the time for us to start exploring,'' she said.

TEST RUN -- Looking at a test run of an illustration from the new Nature Guide, using soy-based inks on re-cycled paper are (left to right):- Ms.

Alexis Outerbridge of the Department of Tourism, Mr. Keith Hart of Hart Advertising and Mr. Peter Marsh of the Island Press.