When it comes to choosing a printing company, looking for one that focuses on sustainability and the environment is becoming increasingly important. We all want to do our part to protect the world around us and so by choosing the right eco-friendly printing company, you can be sure you are choosing someone who is determined to lower the environmental footprint, for you, for them, and for the world. When choosing the right eco-friendly printing company, there are a number of things to look out for. Let’s take a look:
ISO Certification
An ISO Certification is specific legislation required for print suppliers to create an environmental management system to improve their environmental performance. Typically working with an ISO 14000 Environmental Management system, a printing company can monitor its impact on the planet and look at ways to reduce it. Such as, minimising and segregating waste, recycling, and reducing energy consumption. ISO certifications are audited yearly, so you can be sure whether a printing company is sticking to theEnvironment Management framework if their ISO certification is clearly visible.
Low-energy printing
The types of printing processes used by eco-friendly printing can help to reduce the overall energy used to produce printed items. Two highly eco-friendly printing processes are LE UV and LED UV.
LE UV uses traditional UV lamp technology; a tried and tested, well-established system. However, it requires much fewer light sources to dry the ink, removing mercury-doped lamps and infrared emissions, to reduce the energy required to run.
LED UV uses light-emitting diodes to cure the ink, which is a high-performance system that uses even less energy. Divided into separate modules, LED UV lamps only turn on when necessary, and no warm up and cool down times are required.
Digital printing is also another quick eco-friendly printing method that is suited to smaller print runs. With no need for unique plates, it uses fewer raw materials and produces less waste.
On-site recycling
It might seem like an obvious one, but any eco-friendly printing company should be conscious of reducing waste and ensure it is recycled correctly. Company-wide recycling programmes, not just within the printing press, are worth their weight in gold when it comes to helping the environment. A printer who puts in effort to recycling overall is better equipped to ensure their printing methods are also eco-friendly.
Carbon Capture
Carbon Capture is a scheme run by the Woodland Trust for organisations, such as eco-friendly printing companies, to offset their CO2 emissions and reduce their overall carbon footprint. The average amount of CO2 emitted from the manufacture and distribution of a tonne of paper is calculated by the Woodland Trust using Carbon Trust and DEFRA figures. Then 100% of the Carbon Capture goes directly back into the Woodland Trust to plant native woodland in the UK. If your eco-friendly printing company uses Carbon Capture, you know they are committed to minimising their impact on the environment.
FSC Certification
If a printing company is using FSC certified materials and stocks that have been sourced from sustainably-managed forests, you can be sure they have the knowledge to make sure their business cares for the natural world. CO2 emissions are incredibly low with FSC certified materials. And FSC certified materials are also the more ethical choice as they support the people and the wildlife as well as the environment.
Sustainable packaging
Another way to determine the right eco-friendly printing company is to see whether they are committed to sustainable packaging as well as eco-printing printing materials. Using paper to protect and pad out products is the most sustainable option out there. It’s biodegradable and recyclable – so much better for the environment. Make sure the company you choose is utilising this type of packaging over plastic.
Choose John E Wright as your next eco-friendly printing company
At John E Wright, we understand the impact we have on the environment and the importance of reducing our carbon footprint. We signed up to the Carbon Capture scheme in January 2020 as part of a renewed effort for a new decade to minimise the company’s impact on the environment. We produce a range of recycled and eco-friendly print products such as recycled and eco-friendly leaflets, booklets and paperback books. We also have ISO certification, use low-energy printing and sustainable packaging.
f you’re in the market for eco-friendly printing products, we would love to hear from you. For more information please don’t hesitate to contact your local office or contact us and we’d be delighted to help you. You can also call our head office on: 0115 950 6633