Their certification completes the Sustainable Green Print loop nationally with certified companies now in every state after successfully completing training and the independent audit requirements at their chosen levels.
Both Picton Press and PK Print achieved SGP Level 2 certification and had previously achieved Green Stamp program certification. Green Stamp is an environmental initiative developed by Printing Industries (WA) in 2003 in conjunction with the Western Australian Department of Environment. It aims to assist small to medium businesses incorporate processes and practices that avoid, reduce, reuse, recycle and dispose of their wastes in an environmentally sensitive manner.
Picton Press participated in the 2003 pilot programme achieving the highest Green Stamp certification available. The company has grown from a three person operation in 1987 to becoming a national and internationally awarded company employing more than 55 people.
General manager Graham Jamieson said that working towards national SGP certification had helped the company implement best practice environmental procedures and seek out the most eco-friendly products and equipment.
He says, “As part of the SGP journey we were able to reduce water usage and wastage by up to 90 per cent on prepress computer-to-plate by installing a water recycling tank.
“We have also identified savings in other areas and now fully understand where we need to be to help achieve sustainable growth. By involving all staff in SGP, the implementation has meant even greater benefits to our workflow benefiting our customers and vendors.”
PK Print achieved the second highest Green Stamp level before embarking on Printing Industries’ national SGP programme. The family-owned company is based in the southern suburbs of Perth and was incorporated in 1987 by the current owners as a small instant print shop. It is now one of the largest multicolour printers in the southern suburbs.
Director Peter Oxwell said the decision to focus on environmental performance as a business priority was a big step.
He says, “Achieving Printing Industries’ SGP Level Two has given us real motivation to focus on continued environmental improvement for our business. The benefits have been numerous including better waste management through waste reduction and levels of disposal.
“While undertaking SGP an energy audit was conducted which helped us to identify overuse or unnecessary power consumption. Also, we are now focussed on environmentally friendly consumables and products.”
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