VSD encourages print shops to print climate-neutrally
Concerns about climate change are prompting the Swiss Printing Industry Association (VSD) to take concrete action. It has entered into a partnership with the climate protection consultancy ClimatePartner and aims to encourage the printing industry to adopt environmentally friendly printing practices.
Concern about the climate has prompted the Swiss Printing Industry Association (VSD) to take concrete measures. It has entered into a partnership with the climate protection consultant ClimatePartner and wants to encourage the printing industry to print in an environmentally friendly way. Interested print shops can calculate their CO2 emissions using a calculation method from ClimatePartner, which is supported by the VSD. The method takes into account the different circumstances of each company in a process-oriented approach. In this way, print stores can independently create emissions balances for print products, the basis for implementing a climate-neutral print product. "The calculation result tells the print shops how much they need to offset. It examines the entire process, not just individual products," explained VSD project manager René Theiler. Print shops with a poor energy balance have to pay higher compensation in line with their consumption.
Theiler emphasizes that the VSD initiative is not limited to a mere "indulgence trade", i.e. compensation payments. If a company wants to receive the "climate-neutral printing" certificate, it must undergo an energy audit. This also provides all the necessary information for the implementation of energy efficiency measures. "To make it transparent which print shops are doing well in terms of climate protection, we will publish the names of exemplary companies on our website in future," explained Theiler.
VSD is also active in the field of environmental protection with an eco-rating system. This system covers various ecological topics that will be relevant for print shops and their customers in the future. From February 2008, it will be available to print customers as a basis for decision-making. Components of the eco-rating include the "climate-neutral printing" process, the "Winergie-Check", FSC certification and the ISO 14001 environmental management system. Together with partners in this project, VSD will be providing information on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 from 5 p.m. at the Blumenhalle Eventhall & Lounge, Zurich-West, about the opportunities and the right way to achieve the goals. The event is free of charge, interested parties can obtain information from VSD, phone 031 351 15 11, René Theiler.
Theiler emphasizes that the VSD initiative is not limited to a mere "indulgence trade", i.e. compensation payments. If a company wants to receive the "climate-neutral printing" certificate, it must undergo an energy audit. This also provides all the necessary information for the implementation of energy efficiency measures. "To make it transparent which print shops are doing well in terms of climate protection, we will publish the names of exemplary companies on our website in future," explained Theiler.
VSD is also active in the field of environmental protection with an eco-rating system. This system covers various ecological topics that will be relevant for print shops and their customers in the future. From February 2008, it will be available to print customers as a basis for decision-making. Components of the eco-rating include the "climate-neutral printing" process, the "Winergie-Check", FSC certification and the ISO 14001 environmental management system. Together with partners in this project, VSD will be providing information on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 from 5 p.m. at the Blumenhalle Eventhall & Lounge, Zurich-West, about the opportunities and the right way to achieve the goals. The event is free of charge, interested parties can obtain information from VSD, phone 031 351 15 11, René Theiler.
