GREEN ISSUES

swissQprint, Zund, Antalis and Compass Business Finance successfully held their Sustainability Showcase event, with delegates and participants collaborating to explore more affordable, sustainable approaches to materials, workflow, and print and cut technology in the drive towards net zero.

Held on two consecutive days at swissQprint’s UK headquarters in Bracknell, over 40 attendees from 23 businesses came together to find out how to achieve a more effective and sustainable print production process to meet clients’ environmental needs.

Visitors were able to assess swissQprint’s industry leading flatbed printer, the Nyala 4, and the Karibu high end roll to roll printer, alongside Zund’s versatile S3 L-1600 precision digital cutter. In addition, they explored sustainability issues across the production process, including reducing energy consumption, minimising waste, and using environmentally friendly materials in their printing through using the latest hardware and software. As well as live print demonstration sessions, the UK leader in papers, packaging, and visual communication distribution, Antalis, highlighted to

guests the range of sustainable materials for large format print applications, showcasing how their Green Star System™ helps make eco-responsible choices much easier to navigate. Print and packaging finance experts Compass Business Finance provided insight on how today’s print service providers can achieve a more effective and sustainable production process. Erskine Stewart, Managing Director of swissQprint, celebrated the event’s success: “Sustainability is core to all our businesses, and what is clear from the coming together of so many print service providers is that there is a real appetite for effective advice and support in how practical steps can be taken to improve operations from an environmental perspective.” www.swissqprint.co.uk THIS IS GROWTH — A MESSAGE FROM THE WOODLAND TRUST

The government’s new growth plan proposals could leave nature with much weaker protection. Vital habitats including swathes of ancient woodland and veteran trees could be bulldozed and built upon with barely a second thought. We’re at risk of losing decades of progress made for nature, including hopes of better protection for our ancient woods.

The proposals are all in the name of growth. But destroying our environment will never be real growth or progress. A future where our woods and wildlife have disappeared and climate change is escalating is a future we cannot afford.

Despite widespread public outcry, Government’s early responses to criticism do nothing to reassure us. So far, valid concerns have been brushed off with vague platitudes.

The nature and climate crises are getting worse. Government should be focusing on strengthening protection and restoring the natural world — not ripping up the protection we already have.

A healthy environment, with thriving woods and trees, is the foundation for prosperity and quality of life. We cannot live without it. Please ask your MP to press for urgent and explicit commitments from Government that nature will continue to be protected and restored. It’s easy with our simple form. Contact your MP by clicking or scaning the QR code and by magic your own MP will be selected for your support.

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GREENS THE SIGNMAKERS BY NAME AND NATURE

East Yorkshire based printing and signage company Greens the Signmakers has revealed how its investment in an HP Latex R2000 printer has helped the business take on new work in profitable markets and significantly enhanced its environmental credentials.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in business in 2023, Greens offers a wide range of printing and signage services to customers both locally and across the UK, with the business counting the likes of Halfords, Carpet Right and Currys among its high profile clients.

Managing Director Lawrence Green is the third generation of the family to lead the business, building on the desire for the company to continue to expand and grow, as well as add new services to its offering in order to satisfy changing demand across its customer base.

Equally as strong as this drive to succeed is a will to establish the company as one of the leading eco-conscious printing businesses in the UK. Inspired by Charlotte, his eight year old daughter, Lawrence has sought out ways for Greens to grow as a business while improving its environmental credentials at the same time.

A key part of the strategy was to invest in new equipment that would deliver both of these goals. Lawrence reached out to HP for advice and after

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being talked through a number of options by HP’s expert staff, Lawrence and the Greens team soon identified the HP Latex R2000 as the ideal solution.

“The R2000 is the perfect all rounder for us as a business and was the obvious choice when it came to making the investment,” Lawrence said. “Once up and running, it will just keep going. We tend to do a lot of flatbed work in the day, while we will leave a roll in to print overnight, meaning when we arrive at work the next day, we have something to.

“In contrast, with our UV kit, when we run recyclable materials through it, it is much harder, and sometimes not possible at all, to recycle after it is printed. Now we are running the new R2000, the vast majority of what we supply doesn’t have to end up in landfill; we can control the full life of the product, which was not possible before.”

HP has created a new video telling the full story which is now live on YouTube. www.hp.com