Impress receives top environmental accreditation

Print Solutions GreenPrint

Impress Print Services has become Surrey’s first carbon balanced publication printer.

Impress, based in Hersham, is among just 12 print companies throughout the UK, and only the second in the South East, to receive the environmental accreditation.

A carbon balanced publication printer is one of the highest statements of environmental integrity and credibility for both the end user and those who provide paper based communications. It confirms that the carbon impacts of the whole production of a printed publication has been estimated and balanced or offset. Along with Impress’ other environmental accreditations, this demonstrates excellence in environmental performance across the entire spectrum of the company’s operations and services.

Impress received this accreditation through mapping its operational carbon footprint to defined boundaries; secured third party verification by Capitalactiv and balanced (offset) these impacts with the international conservation charity, the World Land Trust (WLT). Impress’ unavoidable annual carbon footprint was measured at 489 tonnes which will be balanced by the WLT through the preservation of 41,000 square metres of high value conservation land. This is the equivalent to five football pitches or taking 125 average petrol cars off the road each year.

Mike Kille, Impress managing director, says that measuring the whole company’s carbon footprint was an excellent way of focusing attention on what more could be done on many aspects of the business including logistical processes and use of energy.

He added, ‘Becoming a certified carbon balanced publication printer is one of the highest statements of integrity and credibility for users of paper based communications. Previously we could offer a range of environmentally friendly papers but this certification means that we have taken things to a new level. We have now documented our operational carbon footprint to defined boundaries which has been externally verified and are now balanced on an on-going basis

‘It shows our commitment to the environment as a business and helps to support our customers in their environmental and corporate social responsibility policies. Many customers are familiar with FSC and recycled stocks but this gives them another opportunity to demonstrate care and commitment to the environment in which we live and work. We are delighted that we can support the WLT in its vital and valuable work.’

Impress, which was founded 25 years ago and employs more than 80 staff, is an innovative provider of print solutions with a strong commitment to high environmental standards. The company invests in cutting edge technology that not only ensures exceptional print results but also helps to reduce waste, eliminate chemical compounds and reduce energy use.

Director Helen Floyd, who spearheads Impress’ environmental policies, said: ‘Our certification is a really important environmental statement of integrity particularly as carbon is becoming such a global concern. We engaged with all our staff on this process and they continue to contribute ideas on how we can save energy and minimise our impact on the environment.’

Becoming a carbon balanced publication printer is just one of Impress’ green credentials. The company is already FSC accredited, uses carbon balanced papers and holds the ISO 14001 environmental management accreditation.