Macquarie Lighthouse Press has become the first university print shop in Australia to achieve the Truly Green standard, which prepares printers for ISO 14001 certification.
Manager John Cason (pictured, right) told ProPrint that a move towards greener printing was necessary for the printer to keep pace with the university. “It’s just good business practice.”
Cason added that the Truly Green certification added “credibility” to the print shop’s sustainability pitch.
“There is a movement on campus to go away from print. If we can show we are sustainable, we’re more likely to have work come back to us,” he said.
The company began the certification process in March this year, though Cason said that many measures – such as installing a more energy-efficient air conditioning system – were already in the works.
The company achieved certification by introducing changes such as using FSC-certified paper, installing lower energy consumption lighting, and reducing the frequency of packaged deliveries. The printer also got Ryde Council involved, with the council installing a specific bin for recycling and toner at the site.
The company also recently overhauled its equipment base, replacing a small Itec perfector and a two-colour Heidelberg machine with an Océ VarioPrint 6160 and three Konica Minolta bizhub 1200s.
Cason said the offset-digital switch wasn’t solely motivated by the Truly Green push, but believed removing litho plant helped the certification process.
“Once you move them out you lose all your chemistry,” he said.
Cason added that print-on-demand would also help with waste reduction.
“It’s a process where you only print what you need. With offset you might print high volumes that are cheaper per booklet, but a lot is thrown away,” he said.
GASAA executive officer Garry Knespal (pictured, left) hailed Macquarie Lighthouse Press’ “significant advances in the areas of waste toner management, power consumption and paper handling”.
The trade body said it expected another 10 companies to be Truly Green certified by the end of the year.
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