Printing responsibly

Taking the lead

The number of clients making greener choices is multiplying. Consequently, there is growing pressure on companies to select environmentally responsible suppliers to produce their products. Paarl Media has taken the industry lead in proactively developing stringent environmental policies to limit the impact on our natural resources. We were the first African printer to receive FSC™ (Forestry Stewardship Council™) CoC (Chain of Custody) certification.

Minimising the environmental impact

Our commitment is reflected in an investment of more than R100 million in environmentally responsible practices to reduce, re-use and recycle to ensure the lowest possible impact on our natural resources without compromising on the quality of printing.

RT04 lrRegenerative Thermal Oxidiser

REDUCE

  • National network with digital proofing and full in-house service reduces transport requirements and carbon footprint.
  • Start-up paper waste reduced on sheetfed and heatset web offset presses.
  • Bulk ink storage and deliveries reduces waste, transport requirements and impact on landfills.
  • Low energy consumption with advanced automation and high efficiency.
  • Regenerative Thermal Oxidisers on all heatset web offset presses eliminate emissions in line with stringent international standards.
  • All heatset web offset printing is alcohol free.
  • Volatile organic compound free, vegetable-based inks used on sheetfed presses.
  • Sheetfed presses include technology which reduces paper usage per press by approximately 750 000 sheets per year - equivalent to the conservation of approximately 1 040 trees per year per press.
  • Only printer to install energy-efficient closed loop paper and dust extraction systems from Kongskilde and Höcker ensure 100% dust free air release in the environment.

REUSE

  • Energy is recovered from the oxidisation process to be re-utilised in the drying section; thereby vastly reducing gas energy consumption
PMC bailing_printing_responsiblyNew bailing facility at Paarl Media Cape

RECYCLE

  • All waste paper recycled using sophisticated baling facilities at plants.
  • Gravure copper skins from engraved cylinders utilised.
  • Web and sheetfed plates are recycled.
  • The gravure ink solvent, Toluene, is recovered and sold back to ink manufacturers.
  • All general waste retrieved from paper recycling is reprocessed to create value added products, such as toilet paper and paper towels.

Responsible design

Our client support staff can recommend optimal designs and formats that minimise ink and paper waste, on press and during binding. For example, paper for the presses come in standard reel widths or sheets, which are most efficiently used for particular product sizes. Non-standard formats can result in higher amounts of waste.