AlphaGraphics Sustainability Report and Environmental Commitments

Here at AlphaGraphics, we’re committed to protecting the environment and continually improving our environmental performance. This company-wide pledge to reduce our carbon footprint also means that all of our clients can rest assured that they are working with a print and marketing partner that invests in the latest technologies and implementing best practice within the print industry. 

Since 2010, our environmental management system has been certified to meet the requirements of ISO 14001 ensuring that our processes and performance are externally audited to ensure they remain effective and relevant. We also ensure that we review our Environment Policy each year and track and monitor our environmental impact regularly. This allows us to continually improve.

The main environmental issues that we closely monitor include:

• Carbon footprint

We regularly make conscious efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. The graph below shows our year on year reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions:

As a print and marketing company the majority of greenhouse gas emissions used arise from the printing processes, together with the running of the offices and an element of travel. Where possible alternative technologies are used to minimise both energy consumption and the use of travel between sites, with video conference calls used extensively by colleagues to communicate outside of scheduled meeting times. We also invest in the latest printing technologies, which make our printing processes more efficient. 

• Chemical-free platemaking 

Known as CTP (computer-to-plate), we use the latest technology which uses a thermal process instead of chemicals to produce plates for print. We also recycle all of our plates after use.

• Waste management 

We aim to reduce and recycle all waste where possible:

• All our toner and other digital printing consumables (including packaging) are picked up by the suppliers and reused or recycled
• Packaging waste from deliveries into us, is re-used wherever possible on site. If it cannot be reused it is correctly recycled
• We use only the minimal amount of packaging on our own deliveries, and are working with suppliers to minimise the amount of packaging we buy and to ensure that the packaging has green credentials 
• All of our waste paper is processed at our waste carrier’s local depot then transported to the paper mill to be recycled and reused
• Cardboard, plastic and glass is recycled

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• Sustainable paper consumption

We are FSC® Chain of Custody Certified. This means that you can be assured that the products that you buy from us are from traceable, sustainable woodland or recycled, where specified. 

We also offer Carbon Balanced Paper. Carbon balancing is facilitated by the World Land Trust, an international conservation charity, through the preservation of high conservation forests. Using Carbon Balanced Paper means that the carbon impact of the production and distribution process has been balanced, or offset, by the World Land Trust. 

• Waterless printing

We make sure that we invest in the latest in waterless offset printing technology appropriate to what we produce. In our case that’s utilising HP Indigo Digital Offset Printing technology.

• Vegetable based ink 

Conventional inks are petroleum based and use alcohol based solvents, which emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) which are harmful to the environment when they evaporate. We use the latest vegetable based inks instead in our litho presses. This is a far more eco-friendly solution. 

• Greener transport 

As part of our environmental commitments, we have also pledged to make transport greener across the business. We have introduced the Cycle to Work Scheme within the business and encourage employees to make the most of car sharing and public transport where possible. We also have a small fleet of fuel efficient vans and ensure that we make deliveries in batches to be as efficient as possible when delivering products to our customers. 

• Alcohol free printing 

All of our litho presses are completely alcohol free – this reduces the environmental impact of our printing and improves working conditions for employees.

• Plastic reduction 

Whilst we do not produce many products containing plastic, we do have a few products and packaging items that currently use plastics and we have targeted to remove the use of all plastic within the next 24 months by sourcing alternative materials that are biodegradable and compostable where they are available.

Over the next 12 months we have pledged to continue with the above activities and reduce our carbon footprint by a further 2-3%. If you’re looking for an eco-conscious printing and marketing partner, then get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help. A full copy of our 2019 sustainability report can be downloaded here.