As a responsible printer Printgraphics is actively interested in the environment and the wider community we live in. We are committed to environmental responsibility and are internationally accredited with ISO 14001 – Certified Environmental Management. So when buying from Printgraphics, you know you are buying from a printer that has the highest environmental policies and certifications in place.

ISO14001 Certified Environmental Management System

What does it mean?

In short it means Printgraphics Printgreen is one of only a handful of truly ‘green’ printers. Others pay lip service, but we are committed to our environmental responsibilities, and are regularly audited to ensure compliance.

Printgraphics is accredited with ISO14001 which is an International Standard Organisation Environmental Management System used and recognized throughout the world and requires a major commitment and investment from participating companies. ISO14001 is the first step to a measurable and validated environmentally-friendly print operation. Only 14 out of 5,500 Australian printers have been accepted for ISO14001 [Australian Printer May 2007] and they are the only printing companies who can use the official ISO14001 Logos. ISO14001 is a system whereby your print company can justifiably claim to be environmentally friendly, because the printer is externally audited as being so. Anyone can claim to be green, but to have any credibility you have to have external validation, which is what ISO14001 provides.

All areas of the printing company are audited by an external company such as SAI Global. Chemical, water and energy usage is measured, as well as industrial waste, and all existing methods are analysed. The printing company then sets their environmental goals. This requires detailed research into alternatives and the implementation of new methods and systems. The printing company’s responsibilities include legal obligations, reports and communications with interested parties, eg: EPA, Councils and Governments. Only when the detailed and systematic external audit process is completed satisfactorily is the ISO14001 Certification awarded. ISO14001 certification is not a static process – it requires a major commitment by your printer to strive for continuous improvement with the setting and achievement of new goals and an ongoing external audit process.

The major aim of our ISO14001 environmental certification is to reduce our footprint on the environment. The hierarchy of waste management is to:

Avoid
Reuse
Recycle

Some of the things we currently do to achieve this are:

Avoid

• Printgraphics has reduced its VOC emission from chemicals by over 30% and has dramatically reduced VOC emission from inks by using organic inks (VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds)
• We have reviewed and reduced the chemicals we use and store, and have developed a manifest for on-site chemicals
• We have fitted capacitors to our electricity supply which filter out unused waveband in the supply, and store it for peak power draw, thereby reducing our drag on the grid
• Our Computer-to-Plate prepress system uses considerably less chemicals than older methods and platemaking systems. The small amount of chemical used in our system is not harmful to the environment
• Water consumption has been reduced from 11 litres per plate to 200 ml per plate – making an annual saving of 200,000 litres

Reuse

• Wash up cloths and rags are separated and laundered for reuse
• Wooden pallets are all reused

Recycle

• Paper waste (collected daily)
• Old offset blankets (used to make thongs)
• All plastics including shrink wrap
• Empty steel ink tins are recycled (the residual ink is reclaimed and used as furnace fuel)
• Aluminium plates
• Printer cartridges
• Empty aerosol cans
• Empty chemical containers
• Steel pallet strapping
• Plastic pallet strapping
• Recyclable food containers
• Drink bottles and cans

Printgraphics makes a further commitment to the continual improvement aspect by investigating the use and installation of solar panels and water tanks, carbon emissions reduction and alternate chemical availability

The Environmental Management System (EMS) at Printgraphics is an intranet based management system which is also integrated with the ISO9001 Quality Management System (QMS) wherever possible, in order that common procedures can be used for quality and environmental processes and operations. The intranet based management program contains all system and operating procedures, forms and subsequent records to ensure we meet our environmental legal obligations, achieve our objectives and consistently review our processes and methods to reduce waste wherever possible.

Printgraphics has established a work group that deal with environmental aspects, objectives and targets and the development and follow-up of subsequent improvement programs. The Work group is comprised of the Q&ER (Managing Director) the Production Manager, and the Environmental Specialist (external consultant). Other staff or external resources may be seconded into the group whenever, specific or expert support is required.

The EMS is compliant with the latest revision of the international standard, ISO14001 and has been developed to cover all operations within the business. It is a requirement that management and staff of Printgraphics with environmental responsibilities utilise and reference the EMS to ensure compliance with company procedures that have been developed to the requirements of the international standard. Contractors or other external parties performing work on behalf of Printgraphics will be made aware of their environmental responsibilities during the induction process and prior to commencing any work. Assistance with the implementation or execution of procedures and processes or any environmental concerns or queries should be directed to the Managing Director who is the Quality & Environment Representative.

Printgraphics Printgreen and our clients hold regular tree planting days to create bio-diversity corridors for animals between established national parks, if you want to be involved please let us know for the next event