Environment - Green Events

Company named Sustainability Leader in computer and office equipment sector

Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”: TSE: 6724) has been named a Sustainability Leader and awarded Silver Class status in the SAM “Sustainability Yearbook 2010”, published on January 26.

The annual Sustainability Yearbook rates the sustainable growth potential of over 1,200 corporations worldwide by assessing them against more than 100 general and industry-specific criteria, covering economic, social, and environmental performance. The world-renowned SRI (Social Responsibility Investment) research company, the SAM Group, evaluates each potential entrant in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Of the 246 companies representing 58 sectors contained in the 2010 Yearbook, 97 were awarded Gold Class, 84 were rated as Silver Class, and 65 were given Bronze Class ratings. Epson is one of seven Sustainability Leaders named in the “Computer Hardware & Electronic Office Equipment” sector, all of which attained Silver Class status.

Epson was first listed in the 2008 Yearbook with a Bronze Class rating, and as a result, was also included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI), for which the SAM Group has responsibility for evaluation and admission. Epson’s ongoing commitment to sustainable growth has resulted in this year’s Silver Class status, and boosted by this achievement the Company will continue to develop its CSR program and strengthen its trust-based management initiatives.

To find out more about Epson’s CSR activities, or to view Epson’s Sustainability Report 2009, please visit the Epson & the Community section on the corporate website.

http://global.epson.com/community/

 

 

With the UK’s printing industry spending over £67 million a year on energy bills, which equates to the usage of approximately two million tonnes of carbon emissions according to the Carbon Trust, printers are encouraged to take a proactive approach to seeking expert support available to them for the implementation of certifiable environmental management systems such as ISO 14001.

Fortunately for those printing firms based in the East of England, the ISO 14001 environmental standard can be implemented with the financial aid available, subsequently reducing a significant amount of the cost of implementation.

Beyond implementing standards, Blackmores will take companies through the stages of their funding application as part of an initiative to more quickly promote carbon savings within the UK at the same time as enabling organisations cost savings during a period of economic downturn.

By implementing ISO 14001, printing firms are able to adopt an expert approach to managing the efficiency of their energy usage which can then meet  increasing demands from clients and the government to ‘go green’.

A renowned UK based printing company Lamport Gilbert, have achieved savings of £40,000 a year through successful implementation of ISO 14001.

Blackmores, a consultancy with leading environmental experts from the print industry offer free advice on funding that is available to the print industry.

Melanie Blackmore, Managing Director of Blackmores quoted, “It has been tough for many print companies in the UK however 2010 brings many opportunities to support the print industry to reduce energy, waste and costs. It’s a competitive market, but we are delighted that there is financial support to give those organisations without ISO 14001 the competitive edge.  Funding varies from region to region across the UK, and ranges from £1,000 - £5,000 in matched funding.”

We are finding that the vast majority of our clients are eligible for funding so we can hold their hand from the funding process through to implementation, training and successful certification.

For further information contact Nicolette Fletcher at 01462 450591 or email nicolette.fletcher@bqms.co.uk

Verdigris, the not-for-profit print environmental research initiative, is inviting print companies around the world to participate in the Verdigris Environmental Awareness survey. The aim of the survey is to better understand and evaluate the strategic motivators and environmental intentions of print companies worldwide. The survey will be repeated annually to track environmental awareness and adoption trends.

The English version of the Environmental Awareness survey is online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GG5X8RQ and other language versions are under development and will be announced as they are ready.

The results will help people and companies develop business strategies and help them understand to what extent environmental issues are meaningful for their businesses, to plan products and assist with training. These results will be presented at Ipex 2010 during the Pira-sponsored Great Debate on Friday 21 May entitled 'Green print: is it worth it?' by Verdigris evangelist and chairperson of the debate, Laurel Brunner. Verdigris supporters will also have the results of this survey available on their stands.

"The results of the Environmental Awareness survey will provide businesses with solid data on which they can base their own decisions," says Brunner. "They will be able to get a real handle on issues such as waste recycling and the correlation between environmental interest and revenue."

The findings will be provided in raw data form to Verdigris supporters and the results will be made available on the Verdigris website at verdigrisproject.com. The survey is being promoted by Verdigris supporters, Agfa, Canon, Digital Dots, Fujifilm, HP, Kodak, Oce, Ricoh and Unity Publishing, as well as graphic associations and print industry magazines around the world.

Large Format represents an important strategic element in business diversification for today’s printers

WhatTheyThink.com today announced the opportunity for industry professionals to attend a free printing industry educational webinar. Eco-Friendly Large format Impressions, which will be led by industry expert Barbara A. Pellow, Group Director of Production Services for research firm InfoTrends.  Sponsored by HP, the event will be held Wednesday, December 2nd, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM EST (7:00PM - 8:00PM UK time).

No-charge registration is available at the webinar registration page.

“Today’s commercial printers need to diversify to survive,” said Pellow.  “While there are lots of options for diversification, large format is an important element of a diversification strategy.  Your customers are likely already buying large format from someone … join us for this session to learn how you can bring those services, and a new revenue stream, in house without a significant impact on your environmental footprint.”

Pellow will be joined by

• Dr. Ross Allen of HP.  Dr. Allen has in-depth personal knowledge and 28 years of experience in inkjet technology and digital imaging products.  As a Senior Technology Specialist at HP, he has more than 40 US patents to his name.  He will explain HP’s Latex ink technology, where it fits in the market and its environmental importance.
• Kyle Morrison, Project-Ink.com.  Project Ink is a progressive graphics agency providing organic design, innovative green media products and environmental graphic application/installations.
• Brett O’Connell, Quantum Digital Imaging.  Quantum Digital Imaging combines the latest in large format digital output technologies with advanced finishing equipmenbt and the highest regard for quality and craftsmanship.

“Our panelists will share how they have expanded their offerings through wide format to leverage the brand assets and creative from the sales and marketing collateral they are already printing to increase both revenue and profit,” said Randy Davidson, President, WhatTheyThink. “We are also pleased to have Dr. Allen explain the new HP Latex inks.  We appreciate the fact that HP is sponsoring this important session, allowing us to make it available at no charge.”

Attendees will be able to participate in a live question and answer session to get the most from the experience and will be able to view and listen to the presentation using a standard Internet browser with audio streamed via computer.

Click here to register for this free webinar.

The 2009 SGIA Expo not only showcased the most innovative technologies in the specialty imaging industry, but also promoted sustainable imaging solutions with its Recycling Initiative and Expo signs.

Earlier this month, SGIA arranged for all recyclable media to be picked up from exhibitors’ booths and delivered directly to the recycling center on the Expo floor. Once all of the recyclable media was collected and sorted, the material was directed back into domestic extrusion rather than exported for incineration or unknown applications. SGIA collected a total of 15,987 pounds of material.

"All of the parties that participated in the Initiative should be commended," said Brett Thompson, director of environmental affairs at Laird Plastics, who managed the program. "Thank you to YRC, Shepard Exposition Services, SBC Recycling and all of the exhibiting companies who assisted in making the Expo Recycling Initiative a success."

Sustainable initiatives also took place throughout the Expo lobby and in the aisles. Value Vinyls, a supplier of digital and screen-printing media, donated EcoLogic material for the Expo lobby banners. EcoLogic, which debuted at the show, is an entirely PVC-free, 100 percent recyclable frontlit material that is durable enough for long-term outdoor applications, yet smooth enough for close-up views of indoor signage.

ConVerd, an environmentally sustainable substrate provider, donated Enviroboard MR (moisture resistant) for all of the aisle signs. Also introduced at the Expo, Enviroboard MR is a rigid, moisture-resistant, 100 percent recyclable board alternative to traditional foam core and corrugated plastic boards.

"By the very nature of the manufacturing processes employed, the sign making and screen and digital printing industries are not inherently eco-friendly", so say leading industry supplier William Smith.

"As one of the UK's leading providers of integrated sign and graphics and digital printing solutions, we have introduced a definitive environmental policy that enables us and our customers to greatly enhance the 'green' awareness policies endorsed by government and other legislative bodies."

At William Smith, all materials (predominantly paper, cardboard, aluminium and acrylic) are segmented and recycled. Manufacturers of vinyl materials are constantly striving to develop more environmentally friendly products and we actively engages with any initiative aimed at achieving this objective.

Developments within the range of hardware and materials solutions provided by us reflect these initiatives. Most notable is in the supply of printers that use the latest Latex ink technology as an alternative to the more hazardous solvent-based systems. The Latex system has only a minimal VOC content and therefore no expensive fume extraction equipment is required. It is non-hazardous, odourless and instantly curable and will provide the same three- to five-year outdoor performance as full solvent inks without the attendant dangers to the environment whilst significantly increasing production speed and output.

Latest developments in materials supply that similarly protect and preserve the environment more effectively include two non-PVC vinyl products. The new 3M 3545C is a fine example of an alternative non-PVC solution to traditional solvent-based materials. Due to its special construction, it is far more environmentally friendly but with no compromise on quality and performance standards.

Similar benefits can be found in the alternative RI-JET eco-friendly digital film from RITRAMA that is EU Phthalates Directive 2005/84/EC compliant. It is another example of a material that offers a significantly reduced environmental impact but with no compromise on quality and durability.