Environment

Cestrian is putting the environment at the heart of its operations. Here’s how and why.

When it comes to the environment, if all you're interested in is being able to put a couple of lines on your website about your green credentials you’ll not bother reading any further. If, however, you see advantages in taking the issue more seriously you will be interested in how Cestrian is pushing the envelope. This spring the Stockport-based company, which already holds ISO14001 and EMAS accreditations, was awarded the silver level of the Carbon Smart certification too. It impressed the panel so much that it completely bypassed the usual entry-level certification (Carbon Smart blue) and it’s now heading for gold level. Why?

Two Sides is doing a great job in challenging the assumption that digital is more environmentally friendly than paper-based print. But can you do more to help spread the word?

In February, The Guardian newspaper ran an article ‘Is digital really greener than paper?’ in response to the print industry’s challenge for the world at large to rethink this wide held belief. As the piece acknowledged: “We've all received statements from our banks, telecommunication and utilities companies with a simple message at the bottom urging us to ‘Go paperless, save trees’.” The implicit message is that print is damaging to the planet.

For every roll of inkjet media you buy CMA imaging will plant/protect a tree in Peru as part ofthis little-known initiative.

Just over a year ago Ilford Imaging acquired CMA Graphix, a provider of colour management solutions and of inkjet papers across Europe and America. Following Ilford’s financial meltdown the company is again operating – as CMA Imaging – and as an independent business. And, in collaboration with Reforest’Action, it is pledging to plant/protect a tree in Peru for each roll of inkjet media sold.

Laurel brunner, md of consulting group digital dots, works with various ISO committees. One group is now looking into the deinking as a vital part of paper recycling. Can you help?

ISO 16759 for quantifying and communicating the carbon footprint of print media has been topping the charts for ISO TC 130 sales since publication last July. TC 130 is the technical committee for graphics technology standards and Working Group 11 writes standards relating to the environmental impact of graphics technology. This group is now looking at a new line of standardisation ideas - deinking - and would like your help.

Environmental consultant Clare Taylor brings you up to speed on environmental standards, systems and schemes.

This year has seen a number of new environmental initiatives, as well as changes to familiar standards, systems and schemes. They affect a wide range of activities: clothing and textiles, paper and packaging, management systems and reporting. Here are some of the most noteworthy.

Steve Malkin is CEO of Planet First, which specialises in bringing sustainability to SMEs. He has partnered with the Eden Project to launch The Planet Mark Sustainability Certification for Business. 

Understanding sustainability is often referred to as the brick wall stopping people, and businesses, from starting to tackle the issue. It is possible that this wall is blocking further progress in the print industry, which has long known of the importance in being able to produce with the environment in mind.