Page 26 - PWM_NOVEMBER2021 EBook

TECHNOLOGY REPORT

Buying into the expected

green agenda

T essentially takes materials and makes something, become
In fact, if you think about it, can the print industry, which
here is increasing pressure – from consumers and
government – for every part of the
The recent growth of manufacturing supply chain to improve its entirely sustainable in the near term, or in the long term?
Or, with the best will in the world, could it ever truly come
paper wrapping has environmental performance and print will play a about?
key part of the eco transformation.
been phenomenal The environment and our impact upon it is a It is clear that a lot of print companies talk about
and has led to some topic of much debate across all walks of life, from sustainability, and showcase their credentials.
As an example, Northern Flags in Leeds highlights its “flag
major investments, manufacturing and construction to the service industries and material EnviroFlag”, which is manufactured entirely from
travel.
with many firms From industrial giants talking about capturing carbon recycled plastic bottles.
keen to grab a slice emissions, to supply chains working on setting targets, And if you hit the Anglia Print website, it’s right there from
sustainability is a keyword, and particularly so in the run up
of the action. to COP26 in Glasgow in November. the off – signs that say Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and there’s a
strong statement that reads: “Anglia Print strongly believes
There are champions of the environment and that all companies have environmental and ethical
sustainability, often seen on TV and heard on radio, while responsibilities and this ethos underpins everything we do.”
Words by there are climate change sceptics filling the social media But for Daniel Clark, marketing manager at Leeds-based
Wayne Tudor platforms to the brim with their “detailed arguments” and Northern Flags, sustainability is more than something green
highlighting so-called conspiracy theories. about products.
In the print industry, as in myriad other areas, there’s many As part of their Action Now initiative, Northern Flags now
a company website that proudly boasts of eco-credentials. has at least one eco-friendly alternative for every single
Websites and web pages filled with talk about recycling and product in its range.
paper and carbon footprints, illustrated with colour- The company says it is about offering what the client
coordinated graphics and pie charts. needs, and slowly but surely trying to transition to a point
But what does it actually take to be meaningly sustainable? where eco-products are the standard.
Are businesses who lay claim to being sustainable doing Clark says: “It’s not been a process without challenges,
much to back it up? such as carrying out due diligence on products and then the

26 PrintWeek MENA November 2021 www.printweekmena.com