So now all the processes are in place, success is assured—right? Wrong.

No matter how many procedures are established employee engagement is vital from tasks as small as shutting doors and turning off computers, to identifying new ways to make further improvements.

At Park Communications everyone is involved, from the board to the shop floor. Four trained members of staff, with roles across the company, have become internal auditors and factory cleaner Paul McNicol has been appointed a champion. He works hard to improve segregation of recyclable materials—the company aims to increase compacted waste by 7 percent— and it was his idea to move a baler outside and away from the busy despatch, resulting in easier access with the forklift truck. A bi-monthly environmental review delivers regular updates with an environmental pack outlining improvements and areas for further attention and the environmental committee meets once a quarter.

Park Communications also works closely with waste handling partners Keebles and J&G who are equally happy to make improvement suggestions.

''If you don’t have staff on board, no matter how good your aspirations are they will be very difficult to achieve,” comments Hopkins, who adds: “This is a family run business and anyone with an idea can talk to the managing director. There is no fear of investing in something if it is a practical proposition. Employee buy-in is really important. We make staff aware of the benefits of improved practices and everybody gets their share of the profits in a bonus.”

Interestingly Park Communications’ greener approach has prompted it to move away from just in time (JIT) delivery for its paper to a holding a consignment. The paper is delivered in bulk— resulting in a reduced number of road trips and therefore emissions—and the merchant then invoices when the paper is used.

“Companies are more aware of how they can work with you,” Hopkins points out. Last year the firm also worked with customers and mailing houses reviewing what needed to be boxed and what could be shrink-wrapped, with a result of an 18 percent reduction against impression count.

RCS was this year shortlisted for both Environmental Printer of the Year and Packaging Environmental Initiative of the Year and Todd says this has helped the company build its image and attract business, explaining: “We have found that a high profile as the vanguard of environmentally friendly print has encouraged very good customers to seek us out.”

So it seems that there is not a single answer when it comes to looking at waste issues. With so many areas to look at, there is not one solution that fits and would suit all companies, and that firms should identify the system that works the best for them.

''My view is that you need to be good at everything, not absolutely perfect at some. If you concentrate on all aspects of business, you will end up being best overall,” concludes Colman.

Reviewing waste

For operations unsure of where to start with their waste management or those seeking further help to improve their processes, J&G Environmental offers a free audit service. It reviews a company’s waste streams and makes recommendations on how to enhance efficiency and comply with waste disposal regulations. This is increasingly important as printers try to minimise the financial impact of the ￡56 per tonne landfill tax as well as promote their operations as environmentally conscientious.

J&G Environmental visits the print site and reviews the waste streams and other waste disposal and storage requirements. It analyses the weekly or monthly volumes disposed of over the past twelve months, reviews how waste is stored, and what the current problems are. The audit identifies any improvements that could help businesses save money and in some cases provide additional income streams. One example is The Guardian Print Centre, printer of newspapers The Guardian and The Observer. It receives ￡2,000 a month recycling aluminium plates, chemicals, batteries, fluorescent tubes and IT waste.

''In a lot of cases times are hard,” comments customer service manager, Richard Spreadbury, who goes on to say: “Printers are looking at margins and want to reduce costs and get the most back for creditable waste. The audit is something we have developed over the years and can help achieve that.”

He also explains it can also help with accreditations such as ISO 14001 that are increasingly important when tendering for blue chip companies like Marks & Spencer and B&Q.

''We take great pride in looking after the customers we have,” says Spreadbury, adding: “When we take on a new job you build up a rapport with all the people you get involved with. Things change over a period of time, for example new equipment installed, and while drivers go in regularly we don’t always have opportunity to remain abreast of these changes. So we offer the audits to re-assess the needs of existing customers. It helps re-establish links and ensures what we are doing is right or it allows us to see what we might need to add. We also use it to understand the needs of new customers.”