Bradford-based The Print Academy Yorkshire Ltd has achieved Carbon Balanced Publication Printer status. Carbon Balanced Publication Printer is just one of the B1 litho and digital printing company’s green credentials; it is FSC accredited, has a comprehensive environmental policy in place and has been carbon balancing print jobs on behalf of its customers via PaperlinX’s Carbon Balanced Paper initiative, for a number of years.
In order to achieve the certification as a Carbon Balanced Publication Printer, The Print Academy calculated the carbon footprint for its business, which was verified by the Edinburgh Centre of Carbon Management (ECCM). The resultant carbon emissions are carbon balanced (offset) by ecological charity, the World Land Trust (WLT), by preserving endangered tropical forests that would otherwise be removed. To maintain the accreditation, The Print Academy will have its carbon footprint audited bi- annually by the ECCM.
The accreditation recognises excellence in environmental performance across the entire spectrum of a company’s operations and services and the use of Carbon Balanced Paper available exclusively from PaperlinX is a key part of the accreditation process.
A wide range of popular papers are available from PaperlinX as Carbon Balanced at no additional cost and other specialist media is offered on an opt-in basis, where customers can choose to pay a small additional cost. The Carbon Balanced Paper initiative means that the carbon emissions related to every aspect of the manufacture and use of paper are calculated so that an equivalent amount of carbon is either prevented from being released in the first place or mitigated in the atmosphere. This balancing is facilitated by the World Land Trust which ensures that carbon impacts are offset in the most effective way.
“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,” says Managing Director Justin McFarlin. “We provide print for a number of charities and we’ve won new business because we can offer them the opportunity to directly reduce the carbon impacts of their marketing communications and meet their carbon reduction objectives; simply through their choice of paper.”
He adds, “Now with Carbon Balanced Publication Printer Status, we’ve got a real competitive edge. We’re one of just 16 accredited UK companies and within our geographical reach we are the only B1 printer. This accreditation demonstrates our commitment to supporting our customers in their own green and CSR policies and will help us to proactively approach and service new markets. It’s a compelling case - every printed piece produced on Carbon Balanced Paper carries a unique World Land Trust logo confirming that it is carbon balanced - and this highly visible seal of approval confirms both our and our customers’ commitment to reducing environmental impact.”
