Here at School Diaries, we offer sustainable printing for the education industry. Each year, we pledge to reduce our carbon footprint by investing in the latest technologies and implementing environmentally-friendly processes across all aspects of our business.
Our commitment to protecting the environment means that all of our clients from schools to colleges and universities can rest assured that they are working with a print partner that invests in the latest technologies and implements best practice within the print industry.
In this blog post, we have detailed just some of the steps that we’ve taken to reduce our carbon footprint, and also offer our customers a partner that can help them to become more environmentally friendly.
Recycle materials
All our paper has been sourced in an environmentally-friendly, socially responsible and economically viable manner. Once you've finished with your diaries you can send them back to us and we will recycle them free of charge.
We review our environmental policies annually and this year have pledged to remove the use of all plastic within the next 24 months by sourcing alternative materials that are biodegradable and compostable where possible. This means our clients can rest assured that all types of waste are kept to a minimum.
Efficient transport and deliveries
We use a small, fuel efficient fleet of vans within the business and make batch deliveries to make the most out of every mile.
Encouraging alternatives
Where relevant, we offer our clients the option to select a more environmentally friendly option. For example, we can offer our customers printing services using Carbon Balanced Paper. This means that the carbon impact of the production and distribution process has been balanced, or offset, by the World Land Trust.
We are also 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.
Investment in eco-friendly printing methods
We regularly invest in the very latest printing technologies and processes to ensure that we make positive changes wherever we can to improve our carbon footprint. As part of this commitment, we only use vegetable-based inks when litho printing.
Vegetable-based inks are an eco-friendly alternative to conventional inks which are petroleum based and use alcohol based solvents. These solvents emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) which are harmful to the environment when they evaporate, and so by using vegetable-based inks we can protect the planet.
We also use alcohol free litho printing presses. This reduces the environmental impact of our printing and improves working conditions for our employees too.
Staff initiatives
Here at School Diaries, we practice what we preach and encouraging employees across the business to also be environmentally conscious is a key goal for the business. As part of this, we have implemented initiatives across every level of the business to encourage employees to reduce their carbon footprint. These include:
- Introducing the Cycle to Work Scheme
- Encouraging employees to lift share and take public transport
- Educating and encouraging employees to conserve energy across the business where possible and safe to do so
- Encouraging employees to dispose of waste appropriately and recycle, and providing training when needed
- Promoting the use of digital alternatives to print and travel, including conducting calls and video conferences and making use of digital documents, invoices and training documents wherever possible
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly printing partner for your school, college or university that cares about the environment and sustainably sourced printing, then get in touch with School Diaries today.
