NSW printers in the Hunter and North Coast areas will be able to participate in Sustainable Green Print (SGP) training via a new outreach program.
The first SGP outreach training program will be run in Newcastle on 29-30 July 2010 covering both Levels 1 and 2 in a specially condensed program.
Participating companies will have the option of doing the Level 1 entry level certification program or both Levels 1 and 2. Level 2 introduces additional levels of management and control including the tracking of waste streams and brings in a focus on a company’s energy consumption and carbon footprint.
It also provides key performance indicators for printing businesses covering waste, recycling, energy, water, incident management, storage and handling of printing chemicals, energy and air emissions.
Printing Industries National Manager, Learning and Development, Ian Walz, said it was important that printing companies outside of Sydney had the opportunity to obtain environmental certification and to take advantage of the business efficiencies that flow from implementing the processes and strategies accompanying SGP.
“Level 1 is entry level and the very important first stepping stone for companies who want to improve their profitability and their appeal to clients,” he said.
“It is also the pathway to Level 2 which will help them to minimise some of their production costs by being better able to manage waste, recycling, energy and water use and air emissions.
“If they want to go beyond those levels once they have successfully completed them, Level 3 is available which provides the groundwork for International Standard ISO14001 certification if desired.”
Mr Walz said that increasingly print customers are looking for proof of environmental responsibility from their suppliers.
“Print has a war on its hands in competition with electronic mediums. While we all know that it is a sustainable industry, customers don’t necessarily have that knowledge.
“It’s therefore vitally important that all printing companies ensure they have environmental credentials and then promote this to their customers. SGP provides this through its multi-level certification program.”
Printing Industries National Communication and Technical Services Manager, Joe Kowalewski said that government at all levels including local government were examining their service provider requirements and increasingly including environmental responsibility conditions.
“There’s little point in waiting until a customer asks for your environmental credentials and then trying to obtain them. You will lose that work if you can’t produce them.
“Companies, regardless of where they are, need to be proactive in becoming certified and then marketing this to their existing and potential client bases.
“They will gain from the energy and material waste savings that their businesses will be implementing, enhance their reputation as a sustainable business and attract new clientele because they will be seen as a progressive and environmentally smart business.”
Mr Walz said Newcastle was chosen for the outreach program because it was centrally positioned for access to a large number of northern NSW towns including Armidale, Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, Inverell, Muswellbrook, Scone, Tamworth, Wyong and the Hunter region.
Please direct all SGP inquires to Ian Walz on (02) 8789 7362 or e-mail ian@printnet.com.au
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