Thinking of the Environment

We are constantly reviewing our environmental impact and how we can reduce this on an ongoing basis. We have looked at monthly consumable needs, stock levels, wastage, waste streams and at the chemicals we use. We have also started to have preliminary discussions with The Carbon Trust regarding our carbon status and what can be achieved going forward. We operate a strict policy of recycling as much as possible of all our waste products through registered, licensed carriers, and with their help we are ensuring the future of our environment through responsible practices.

Vegetable based Inks / Inking system

Formulated on the basis of renewable raw materials, vegetable oils - linseed, soy, and rapeseed - are the principal binder components. In terms of quality, they are comparable or even superior to mineral oil products and are environmentally friendly which helps us with our environmental policy. All inks are in compliance with ISO 2846-1 & 12647-2 and are supplied in plastic tubes that are recycled. This eliminates ink being supplied in tins thereby reducing landfill & chemical pollution.

We have introduced an IPA reduction programme and looked at new fount solutions and IPA reduction founts. We have reduced our IPA levels from 10% to 8% and intend to reduce to 6% by the end of 2009 (If we find a more suitable IPA reduction fount we will make even greater reductions).

Biodegradable lamination (Environmental)

The laminate that we use is an environmentally friendly laminate - environmentally friendly in the sense that the paper / board can be separated from the laminate – the laminate is non-recyclable but will breakdown over time. There is now a laminate called Clarifoil P20 Film that conforms to DIN EN 13432:2000-12 which is the certification scheme for products made of compostable materials. Clarifoil P20 Film is the first laminated material of its kind to be classified as biodegradable by the “Biodegradable Products Institute and The United States Compositing Council” unfortunately as it is the first of its kind it is 4 times the price of any other laminate available!

Paper

Although we are guided in many instances by our clients, we are always available to offer good advice when choosing papers. Not only do you have to negotiate the minefield of environmentally friendly stocks but with the current recession prices have never fluctuated as much as they are, leaving all of us uncertain as to which paper is actually fit for purpose. Fox Print are accredited to both FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes), and hold Chain of Custody for both. We can guide you through the various labelling schemes, advise you on which paper is the best for your project, and answer your questions such as: “Should I use recycled or FSC paper?” And “What is a sustainable forest?”

Please click here for a copy of our Environmental Policy