One of the key focal points of the IPIA’s strategy to support the UK print industry and its supply chain has been extensive research into what it means to be ‘sustainable’ – and why implementing a strategy to reduce your businesses’ negative impact on the planet makes both commercial and moral sense. 

 

We also want to initiate debate and provide information and tangible tools to enable the supply chain to make informed decisions about how to reduce their carbon footprint, get ahead of impending legislation and effect positive change within their organisation. Sustainability is poised to become a key defining factor that ultimately affects competitiveness in our industry. Proposed Government legislation, cultural changes and significant shifts in brands’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) priorities all have an impact. 

 

Print buyers will increasingly require print-service-providers (PSP) to demonstrate their sustainability credentials and those of their products or services when tendering for business. This will ultimately drive PSPs to require their material and technology suppliers to do the same. It is therefore more critical than ever that print businesses and our entire supply chain understands what it really means to be sustainable and how to create a sustainability strategy. 

 

This guide aims to provide our members, and the wider industry, with a clear roadmap of resources, structures, target-setting and measuring outcomes. It is not intended to be a complete and exhaustive exploration of each area highlighted in the contents page, but it will raise awareness of the key considerations and critical information required to found and develop a long-term sustainability strategy.