Impress: ‘phenomenal achievement’

GreenPrint

Impress Print Services has been presented with its certificate as Surrey’s first Carbon Balanced Publication Printer.

Following a programme of carbon reduction, the company received its accreditation through mapping its residual 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).

The presentation to Impress directors Mike Kille and Helen Floyd was made by the deputy mayor of the Borough of Elmbridge, Councillor Rachael Lake, during a visit to the Hersham based print company on Friday, July 1. Impress is among just 12 print companies throughout the UK, and only the second in the South East, to receive this environmental accreditation.

Handing over the certificate, the deputy mayor said: ‘So many companies have a vision that they would like to get where you are, but they never quite make it.’ She described Impress’ environmental achievement as ‘phenomenal’ and also praised the company’s contribution to the Borough since it moved to Elmbridge eight years ago.

She said she was ‘in awe and extremely proud’ of Impress’s achievement and added: ‘Being the first in Elmbridge, only two in the South East and 12 in the whole country to have this certificate, the words ‘well done’ really don’t cut it.’

The deputy mayor also spoke of the Impress Royal Warrant which was awarded to the company in 2011. She said the approval of the Queen was something that companies did not get easily and added: ‘It is not just that you do good printing and the finished product looks good, you go through every step of the process to get there. You should be extremely proud.’

Impress’ unavoidable annual carbon footprint was measured at 489 tonnes which will be balanced by the World Land Trust 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.

The deputy mayor, her consort Ian Lake and local ward councillor Christine Elmer, were taken on a tour of Impress’ facilities by managing director Mike Kille who showed them the lithographic and finishing print facilities and the digital and mailing operation.

Mike said, ‘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 Forest Stewardship Council (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 their vital and valuable work.’