YCN - Eco Friendly Printing

Link: http://www.alocalprinter.com/uk/green-printing/


I have ordered a free sample pack to get an understanding of the quality painting they do, and see whether it would be appropriate for our products.

IMAGES OF FREE SAMPLES HERE

ISO14001 Certified

We are also ISO14001 certified. This international standard specifies the actual requirements for an effective Environmental Management System. It applies to those environmental aspects over which the organisation has control and can be expected to have an influence.

This simply means that we are one of a small percentage of printers in the UK that has put its money where its mouth is and is certified as doing its very best for the environment and not just paying lip service or talking about it!

ALP Green Printing Policy Statement:-

This is our policy in detail which we are always striving to enhance and expand:

Paper

• All paper, board and packaging used meets our stringent environmental specifications and as a minimum these materials are ECF or TCF - Elementally or Totally Chlorine Free - which is the kindest way to bleach the pulp.
• We actively encourage and promote the use of FSC Certified Paper, 100% Recycled Paper or paper containing an element of recycled fibre.
• Our website products are all printed on FSC Papers or 100% Recycled Paper.

Reduce or Avoid the use of Chemicals

• We use an inert water based protective coating sealant on many of our products which is an eco-friendly alternative to polymer based coatings, "litho seal" and plastic laminates.
• We run IPA - isopropyl alcohol - free on our printing presses, as opposed to the industry average of 8%.
• Our inks are vegetable oil based - specifically linseed oil - as opposed to mineral oil.
• The removal of IPA alcohol and use of vegetable ink has virtually eliminated our emissions of VOC's - Volatile Organic Compounds - into the atmosphere. These VOC's are a major source of ozone pollution and are a potential a health hazard to our staff.
• We promote full colour printing which uses significantly less chemicals, solvents and paper in job setup and press cleaning than traditional one or two colour printing.
• We offer quality Digital Print solutions specifically for short-runs.

Reduce and Recycle Waste

• We have reduced our unavoidable production waste of paper and chemicals by up to 85% and will continue to seek ways to further reduce such waste.
• We segregate, re-use and recycle all of the paper waste produced in the course of printing.
• Waste paper and used aluminium printing plates are collected for recycling, as are all of our spent chemicals.
• We invested in the latest production equipment which is more efficient and less wasteful of materials in the first place.

Legislation Compliance

• We are fully compliant with the Hazardous Waste Act 2005 and waste is segregated and collected for recycling by licensed contractors.
• We are assessed anually by independent auditors to ensure we conform legally and continue to improve as a requirement of our ISO14001 certification.

Energy Consumption

• Our Ryobi 755 printing presses consume 50% less electricity than popular competing machines - to put this into perspective this equates to a monetary saving of over £5.00 per hour!
• Equipment is chosen to be more efficient - faster setup and running speeds ensure more output per Kw of electricity used. 

Green Office

• This is another area where A Local Printer has taken positive steps. Please read our article onGreening your Office for more information.

Removing Cost Barriers

• We encourage the use of batch printed products such as our Flyers Printing service, which reduce production waste by up to 95% whilst delivering massive cost savings to our customers.
• We continue to remove the cost barriers that previously discouraged customers from adopting the use of environmentally friendly green printing.
• Our buying power enables us to purchase eco-friendly paper and materials at a lower cost than many printers pay for conventional alternatives.
• Investment in the latest equipment enables alocalprinter.com to remain highly competitive.
• Online ordering reduces the cost of sale - savings which are passed onto our customers.

Removing Quality Barriers

• We have eliminated the quality barriers that previously discouraged customers from adopting the use of recycled paper and eco friendly materials.
• The vegetable oil based inks used on our printing presses deliver an increase in print quality over conventional mineral oil based inks.
• Investment in the latest and most efficient equipment delivers a higher quality of printed product than the industry average.