Published: Thursday, 20 September 2018 09:46

The past decade has seen a huge surge in the push for more sustainable workplaces and households around the globe. Australia has one of the highest per capita emissions of carbon dioxide in the world, with 0.3% of the world's population it produces 1.8% of the world's greenhouse gasses. In 2014-15 we produced about 64 million tonnes of waste, with only about 60% of this recycled. For this reason, there is a real push for Australian households and businesses to seek environmentally friendly alternatives, to help improve our sustainability and carbon footprint.

In the printing industry, we understand our environmental responsibility, and as an industry, we have embraced the opportunity to create more sustainable practices. G Force Printing is committed to reducing our waste and environmental footprint, and continually strive to promote and employ best practices. Below are some of the ways we are encouraging our customers and staff to be more environmentally sustainable:

Recycled Paper Options

G Force Printing have a wide selection of environmentally friendly paper options you can tailor to the look and feel of your brand. The recycled paper comes in everything from the fully rustic recycled look, to a smooth gloss.

Latex Inks

Our HP Latex large format printer uses latex inks. Not only do latex inks produce long lasting, vibrant high-quality printing, but they’re also non-toxic, odourless and environmentally friendly. Latex inks are 70% water based and made from recycled materials.

Hazardous Waste Reduction

G Force have reduced our hazardous waste by replacing volatile solvents and carbon-based inks with less volatile substances and cartridge delivered soy-based inks, reducing risks and toxic waste. We dispose of hazardous liquids using a licensed waste facility.

Computer to Plate Technology

We use Computer to Plate Technology, which transfers a digital image generated in a computer directly to a printing plate, reducing the use of resources and improves waste handling and disposal.

Recyclable Packaging

Our products are delivered to you using recycled packaging, and no additional or unnecessary plastic packaging is used. We also re-use packaging wherever possible to cut down on waste.

In-house Recycling

G Force Printing recycle paper, cardboard and plastic film, to help reduce wastage associated with our processes. On average, G Force Printing recycle 1 tonne of paper a month. To put that into context, according to the City of Melbourne, Waste Collection, Recycling Facts and Figures:

By recycling one tonne of paper you save:

• 13 trees
• 2.5 barrels of oil
• 4100kWh of electricity
• 4 cubic metres of landfill and
• 31,870 litres of water

Prepress & Finishing

Our staff are trained on how to step and impose artwork in the most economical and waste-free way. Stepping and imposing means we calculate how to fit as many versions of the artwork as possible, into the larger sheets of paper that we print on. Our specialised software helps us to calculate this. This software also helps us calculate exactly how many sheets are required for print jobs and tracks how many sheets we have in stock to reduce waste.

Staff Training

G Force staff are all trained in our sustainability best practices and are encouraged to look for green solutions. This includes:

• Turning off machinery and electronic items when not in use
• Shutting down computers and turning off lights each day
• Spill Prevention and Response Plan, understand what to do if there is a hazardous spill
• Double checking artwork with customers to avoid mistakes and wastage
• Separating all recycling both in the warehouse and office

G Force Printing are committed to sustainable printing practices and promoting industry best practise. To learn more, contact our team today.