ENVIRONMENT

We are committed to the importance of accelerating sustainable printing practices, thereby minimising environmental impact for a greener future. We are learning that sensitivity to the environment doesn't have to be at the expense of customers and that the long-term benefits of sound environmental practices outweigh any additional costs incurred.

We have made excellent progress in assessing the group's carbon emissions and during the next year are committed to attaining a 2% reduction in emissions. To reduce our carbon emissions we have initiated a pilot Energy Measurement and Management Programme at Parow printing plant in Cape Town.

This programme is being conducted by Global Carbon Exchange (GCX), who assess carbon emissions through a business case energy efficiency audit and this detailed energy grade audit will enable us to implement an energy reduction strategy across the group. The opportunities presented by the programme will make our operations more energy efficient and provide us with renewable and alternative energy technologies that in the long-term will provide beneficial cost savings.

We participated in the 2009 and 2010 JSE SRI Index research conducted by EIRIS Ltd, a global leader in corporate sustainability and responsibility research. They are an independent organisation conducting research into corporate responsibility and sustainability issues. Our responses to the survey has resulted in us being assessed as an eligible company for the JSE SRI Index.

With effect from 1 December 2010, we have been included in the JSE SRI Index.
(SRI Index Certificate PDF)

Environmental Policy

• To conserve energy and natural resources.
• To minimise waste and its impact on the environment.
• To use products from environmentally responsible sources and with minimal packaging repercussions.
• Continually assess the potential effects of our activities on the natural, social and economic environments.
• Ensure each employee is familiar with the environmental policy. All employees are trained and expected to work and act safely at all times. They accept responsibility for preventing pollution, conserving the use of resources such as water and energy and minimising of waste generation.
• Achievements in safe guarding the workplace and the environment against hazards resulting from our operations. We strive to attain the highest possible degree of physical, mental and social welfare of our employees.
• Involving ourselves in sustainable community projects that contribute to social upliftment.
• Conduct regular environmental external audits.

When we install new press technology, we are conscious of the environment. Equipment is climatically controlled and new presses are totally enclosed ensuring a quiet working environment. Taking cognisance of green issues, all new machinery has after burners, which help to eliminate emissions.

We are driven by efficiency, which results in efforts to reduce waste in every aspect of production and distribution. The following processes have been implemented:

• New large-format presses reduce energy consumption per printed page.
• Inline trimming reduces paper waste.
• Prepress technologies eliminate the chemical and solid waste resulting from traditional photographic plate-making processes.
• Aluminum plates are recycled.
• Gravure presses allow direct colour printing using Toluene recovery technology. The Toluene is recovered and sold back to ink manufacturers.
• Good maintenance helps reduce energy, waste, cleaning materials, and noise, and facilitates health and safety compliance.
• Clients can request inks and varnishes that will not contaminate the ability to recycle plastic.
• We have an established recycling chain within the group
  i.e. paper reels are reused by CTP Flexibles to store plastic and all unsold magazines are recycled.

Our responsible paper sourcing practices have earned us Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) Chain-of-Custody Certification. This certification is a guarantee to our customers that products printed on house stocks come from well-managed forests adhering to strict environmental and socio-economic standards.

Download FSC Certificate PDF