Environment
Environmental issues are close to our heart, living and working as we do in one of the most beautiful regions in England.
We have blended state of the art equipment with existing print technology for every department, and used our extensive print knowledge and expertise, to streamline efficiency, boost quality and minimise the impact on our fragile environment.
- Fully digital workflows eliminate intermediate processes and waste
- Vegetable based inks – minimal solvents or VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- No harmful isopropyl alcohol (IPA) used in the printing process
- No film or film processing chemicals used
- No waste printing plates, as all are re-useable or fully recycled
- Very low CO2 emissions
- We recycle 90% of our total waste
We actively research all papers we use and ensure they are only from accredited paper mills using pulp only from sustainable forests. With some paper (FSC & PEFC) we can even track back to the actual part of the forest the wood came from.
Of the plastics we now print on, polypropylene and polyethylene are both recyclable. As an alternative to film laminating, we offer UV gloss coating. The coating we use is a benign, water-based product, made from inert raw materials, which, unlike laminating, leaves the paper recyclable. This coating is cured immediately when exposed to ultra violet light.
Recycled Paper
Our view regarding recycled paper is that it has a place in the environmental situation. The printing industry has always recycled paper waste, whether printed, mill waste or forest thinnings. It forms part of a cycle, starting with high quality papers such as wove, then standard printing papers & boards, being recycled as materials such as newsprint, finally ending up as egg boxes, cat litter, packaging etc.
The requirement nowadays is that even post consumer waste is being recycled back to pristine condition and being used as writing paper and gloss, silk or matt coated printing paper. The waste chemical and ink sludge can be toxic, difficult to dispose of and usually dumped in landfill. There is also a significantly increased total energy usage to reclaim, sort the waste and return the used pulp back to its former condition.
We understand clients wanting the best for the environment. However, using recycled material is not always the best answer, whereas using paper from properly managed forests and enlightened paper mills in the FSC or PEFC chain of custody can be.
Fast growing conifers are indigenous to Scandinavian countries and are grown as a crop, with sensible replanting and logging, avoiding forest clearances and monocultures maintains wildlife and helps the environment. These fast growing conifers take vast amounts of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and replace it with oxygen, unlike equatorial rain forests which are in virtual stasis.
It’s also important to understand that hardwood rainforest timber is generally unsuitable for papermaking. Also to be considered is the fossil fuel used to transport wood pulp or finished paper, either by road or by sea.
Recycled paper is more expensive by approximately 20%, depending on supplier. Printing costs can also be higher as recycled paper can be more difficult to print on. This is mainly due the recycling process shortening the wood fibres which reduces the rigidity and dimensional stability of the paper sheet. However, this is much less of a problem with the printing processes we use.
The recycled paper range we recommend is the Revive range, which comes in gloss, silk, matt and uncoated. It has a range of options from 25% up to 100% post consumer waste and we believe it is the best of the recycled papers on the market at the moment. Of these options, Revive Special Silk is FSC accredited.
All stock papers supplied by us are extensively researched and can give the environmental pedigree of each material. It is generally accepted that an FSC accredited paper (Forest Stewardship Council) is the most environmentally sound material available. We currently working towards FSC Chain of Custody certification.
Such complex processes are sometimes extremely difficult to unwind without a lot of technical knowledge and it is important to cut through the hype and popular myth to get informed answers. This is well illustrated with the new myth that vegetable based inks are environmentally friendly. These inks are made using oil from the Soya bean. Soya oil is a renewable resource but still gives off VOCs. Soya plantations in the Amazon region are by far the greatest reason for clearing virgin rainforest. This is a fast growing problem for the environment, leading to soil erosion, river pollution and loss of coral beds due to silting as far away as the Caribbean.
Centric Environmental Policy
Centric Print Solutions is a printing company specialising in high quality print solutions, using mainly digital processes. In order to provide its customers with the highest quality printed material Centric uses equipment at the forefront of printing technology, blended with an in-depth knowledge of printing processes and systems.
Centric recognises the importance of considering the environment at all stages of business planning, development, production and marketing, whilst continuing to produce high quality products to meet customers specification and satisfaction.
In order to demonstrate our commitment to pollution prevention and ongoing environmental improvements we will ensure that we:
- Comply with all relevant Environment Legislation.
- Reduce the use of solvents through the implementation of new efficient technology.
- Conserve energy use as far as is practicable.
- Minimise waste, particularly during production and packaging.
- Conserve natural resources used in manufacturing and despatch operations.
- Meet the “Duty of Care” requirements through the safe storage and disposal of waste.
- Reduce noise to the lowest levels practicable for employees and members of the public.
- Maintain safe, clean working conditions in and around the site.
- Operate in an environmentally responsible manner at all levels by communicating environmental best practice to all employees.
- Develop responsible operation and maintenance programmes to reflect the principles outlined above.
Copies of this Environmental Policy will be provided to all interested parties upon request.
Signed: Geoff Thould, Managing Director
Date: 1st February 2010
