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Sustainability

Sustainable Printing

Good print should not cost the earth. Here is what happens behind your order, from the paper we print on to where the offcuts go, and how to order print with less waste.

Environmental StandardISO 14001 CertifiedMuch of our range is printed in a factory run to the international standard for environmental management, audited regularly.
Paper and BoardFSC® Certified SourcesPaper and board trace back to FSC® certified forests, recycled material and FSC® controlled wood.
Waste97% RecycledBy weight, 97 per cent of material waste and 82 per cent of chemical waste from the press room is recycled.
EnergyRenewable ElectricityThe factory runs on electricity from renewable sources, with solar panels on its roof.

Where Your Print Is Made

Much of our range is produced in a UK print factory certified to ISO 14001, the internationally recognised standard for environmental management. It covers everything from energy and emissions to waste and water, and certification means the factory is audited regularly to keep it.

That is our supply chain, and we choose to work inside it because the standards are written down, checked and improved year on year rather than simply promised.

Responsible Paper and Board

Paper and board in that chain come from FSC® certified sources. The Forest Stewardship Council® is an international charity that sets standards for well managed forests and for the rights of the people who work in and live around them.

  • Every sheet traces back to a mix of FSC® certified forests, recycled material and FSC® controlled wood.
  • Need FSC® certification on a particular job, for a tender or your own reporting? Tell us when you request a quote or order, and we confirm which products and papers qualify before we print.

Less Waste

Paper and board are the main waste in any press room, so they are dealt with at source.

  • Offcuts and trimmings are drawn off the machines by an extraction system and go straight to recycling.
  • Litho printing plates, plastic packaging and electronic waste are recycled too, the electronics through a licensed WEEE route.
  • By weight, 97 per cent of material waste and 82 per cent of chemical waste is recycled.
  • A standing waste reduction programme has cut litho waste by more than half and digital waste by 45 per cent, counting sheets, inks, power and chemicals.
  • Parcels are sealed with paper tape where it works.

Cleaner Energy

  • The factory and its offices run on electricity from renewable sources.
  • Solar panels on the factory roof generate around 6,000 kWh a week.
  • Machines power down automatically when idle, computers shut down overnight, and lighting and air conditioning are energy efficient.

Print Only What You Need

The greenest sheet is the one that is never printed. A few ways we help you order the right amount:

  • Exact quantities. If the quantity you need is not listed, request a quote for the exact number rather than rounding up to a bigger run.
  • Proofs on screen. You check and approve your artwork online, so no paper proofs are printed and posted.
  • Document printing to the page. Upload a file and we print exactly the copies and pages you choose.
  • Local collection. Collect from our print studio and skip the courier journey altogether.

Questions

Need certified paper, a statement for a tender, or advice on the lowest impact option for a job? Ask and we tell you exactly what applies to your order, product by product.

Request a Quote