Tag: environment

More than a label

Fujifilm recently announced that it had gained Nordic Ecolabel certification for its Uvijet UV inks. But this is much more than an environmental tick box exercise; it’s about corporate responsibility. So does that matter to you?

How much do your suppliers’ CSR programmes matter to you? The recent announcement by Fujifilm that it has received Nordic Ecolabel certification for inks within its Uvijet range has prompted the question not only because it’s a move that in itself is significant, but because of what it says about the company’s overall CSR vision. And what that in turn suggests about the need for others to be more proactive.

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Riding with the free-riders?

Kevin Bray of K J Bray and Associates is the new environmental consultant to the Fespa UK Association. Here he asks if you should be delving deeper into rules and regulations governing the kit you discard.

It has become clear to me over the past few years that there are many in our industry who, perhaps through oversight, and hopefully only through oversight, do not comply with all so-called ‘Producer Responsibility’ legislation. From the outside, many of these regulations can seem somewhat esoteric and arcane, so non-compliance is often not entirely deliberate, but happens because it is easier to see them as someone else’s problem or responsibility. But it’s not.

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Message from Mars?

To many printers what Consolidated Printing founder Marilyn Jones has to say on the issue environmentalism is an alien concept. But should we be learning from it?

When other printers come to visit Consolidated Printing in northwest Chicago, they invariably spot that one thing is missing. Why, they ask, is their no external exhaust fan in the pressroom? The answer is simple: the company, which produces everything from media packs to digital colour printing and signage, doesn’t need an exhaust because it doesn’t produce any harmful emissions when printing.

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Fighting talk

Two Sides is doing a great job at distributing the environmental facts about print. But Digital media is still getting away with too much when it comes to the sustainability argument. Could that be changing?

Does an iPhone use more energy than your fridge? Mark Mills, CEO of Digital Power, made that claim in a study about Cloud computing two years ago, sparking a furious online debate. American think tank, the Breakthrough Institute, crunched the numbers and concluded that a typical iPhone consumed 388kWh of energy a year whereas some household refrigerators used as little as 322kWh.

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2015: time to turn over a new leaf

Walter Hale looks at why wide-format print companies should reassess their environmental and sustainability strategies.

“You cannot do business on a dead planet.” That was the stark warning Hunter Lovins, author and president of a non-profit organisation called Natural Capitalism Solutions, gave at a recent United Nations symposium on sustainability.

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21 February to 23 February 2027
Printwear & Promotion LIVE!

www.printwearandpromotionlive.co.uk

Where?

Hall 20, NEC Birmingham

What is it?

Printwear & Promotion LIVE! is the UK's leading exhibition for the garment and promotional product decoration industry.

The 2026 event saw more than 120 exhibitors showcase the very latest bits of garment decoration equipment and blank garments to thousands of visitors.

Key players from across the marketplace, including Gildan, Roland DG, Fruit of the Loom, Resolute, UPM Metamark, and Stahls’ UK, have already signed up to exhibit.

If you are looking to diversify in 2027, this is one exhibition you should not miss out on!

22 February 2027
The Sign Industry Awards

www.thesignindustryawards.co.uk

Where?

National Conference Centre, Birmingham

What is it?

The Sign Industry Awards, presented by Sign Update, celebrate excellence in the visual communications sector by honouring past achievements, present innovations, and future advancements. These awards recognise outstanding suppliers, sign makers, and individual traders in sign making, digital printing, and visual communications.

6 April to 9 April 2027
FESPA Global Print Expo 2027

www.fespa.com

Where?

Messe Munich, Germany

What is it?

FESPA Global Print Expo is Europe’s leading exhibition for screen, digital and wide-format printing, textile printing, and signage.

Discover the latest technology, materials, and applications across print, personalisation and signage. You’ll experience live demonstrations, get hands-on with the latest tech and get your business ahead making new connections at networking events. It’s the perfect chance to explore how print is evolving. Co-located with the European Sign Expo, WrapFest and Textile it features product launches, live demonstrations, expert talks, and competitions like World Wrap Masters. With a strong focus on business growth, automation, and investment-ready buyers, the expo is an essential platform for professionals seeking the latest print solutions and industry trends.

Whether you’re a print service provider, a brand owner, or a creative professional, see the future of print coming to life at FESPA 2027. Secure your place at the heart of print innovation.