The Printing Industries Association of Australia said its Sustainable Green Print (SGP) program gave firms "significant advantages over [their] competitors" by offering them a point of difference.

"It’s suicidal for companies to try to compete on price. They certainly need to be more innovative, not just with products, but with the way they conduct business," said Victoria and Tasmania member services manager Bruce Lowery.

SGP helps printers achieve significant improvements in energy consumption, wastage and recycling rates, he said.

Lowery said more than 40 Victorian and Tasmanian firms had done the program and had found the "benefits have exceeded their expectations".

"Not only have they made their workplaces healthier and safer environmentally, they have also realised significant efficiency and productivity improvements along the way."

A two-day training course will be held in Melbourne on 12-13 February. Contact Lowery on (03) 8541 7304 or bruce@printnet.com.au for more information.

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