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Moray business takes another leap forward against climate change
Date: 22nd October 2007
Over the last two years they have invested heavily in new technology that is cleaner and greener, not only raising their eco-credentials, but also enabling them to work with greater productivity, consume less energy and chemicals and produce less waste. As a result they have been able to pass on cost benefits to their customers with a 30% price reduction for full colour printing.Through the marketing of their environmental production coupled with their competitive prices they have gained a range of customers from throughout the UK, delivering financial benefits to the local economy.
The ISO 14001:2004 certification was achieved by Big Sky following 9 months development and implementation of the EMS, although they have carried out various environmental working practises since 1990. To gain certification, every aspect of the business with an environmental impact was analysed and a monitoring programme and control procedure devised for each.
For example, with the focus on reducing waste, the company have devised a strategic approach to the whole operation from the design stage, through proofing, pre-press and printing. Quality control procedures are applied at each stage so there are less errors and consequent waste (energy, materials, paper etc). All paper trimmings and print waste are recycled so that non goes to land fill. Transport impacts are minimised by the strategic planning of work and consolidation of paper orders.
One of the main advances has been the investment in a computer-to-plate system, a chemical free set-up which eliminates the use of harmful pre-press chemicals and materials (imaging film & film and plate processing chemicals). In addition to the procedures of the EMS, Big Sky also uses vegetable oil-based inks as standard and less volatile and safer press wash-up agents. These measures combined with a major use of recycled and sustainably produced papers make the printing process much more environmentally sound while retaining a high quality finished product.
Managing Director Lex Le Feuvre said “We’re delighted to have achieved the ISO certification. The development of the environmental management system has been a committed and concerted effort by all members of staff but we can’t rest on our laurels. It is a requirement to maintain and improve upon our environmental performance year on year to keep the certification”.
On Monday 27th August, MSP Richard Lochhead visited the company and presented them with their ISO14001:2004 certificate.
Big Sky can also claim to be probably the only UK printer to obtain 100% of its electricity from a local renewable energy source, 4 wind turbines!
Notes to Editors:
Posthouse Printing/Big Sky Posthouse Printing and Publishing Ltd is located in Findhorn, Moray. Established in 1990 Posthouse provides a bespoke design and printing service with a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and environmental care. Some of the most significant developments have been the investment in a computer to plate system, the use of new efficient technology creating less waste.
Over the last 2 years they have invested £300K in new advanced technology to improve efficiency and work greener.
Posthouse also supports a number of social and environmental projects including reforestation in Scotland, a local youth project, our local community association, a health project in Nepal, an orphanage in Russia and an international disaster relief team.
http://www.bigskyprint.com/
For further information contact:
Lex Le Feuvre Posthouse, 305 The Park, Findhorn, Forres, Moray, IV36 3TE Tel: 01309 691640 Email: info@posthouse.org
BM TRADA Certification Ltd BM TRADA Certification is a leading multi-sector certification body accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). Established within the construction industry for more than 30 years, BM TRADA offers certification across all industry sectors in the fields of quality, environmental, information security and health & safety management systems, as well as chain of custody and personnel schemes. It also offers a range of product certification schemes under its Q-Mark banner as well as BM TRADA also offers a range of courses to support certification. www.bmtrada.com