East Sussex-based digital print company Elephant Print and Display has become one of the first UK companies to offer Climate Neutral Printing in association with German-based climate consultancy, ClimatePartner.  

As a result of this new environmental initiative, Elephant can now calculate the CO? greenhouse gas emissions for each print job enabling a contribution to be made to an internationally recognised carbon offset project, this ensures that reforestation and protection of those natural resources is continued. 

The carbon emissions caused by the materials, production processes and transportation involved in each print job are all taken into account. Elephant has chosen to support The Kasigau Wildlife Korridor in Kenya, situated in the Taita Taveta District as their project to support for this initiative. 

As part of the process, every climate neutral printing job carried out by Elephant will be documented with its own unique ID, providing full transparency for the carbon offsetting process. At the end of each completed print application project, a certificate is then generated for each customer, identifying their total emissions involved in the production of their respective job, and detailing that they have been offset. The customer can also use their unique ID code to see for themselves how their emissions have been offset, providing clear traceability throughout the process.

Elephant currently operate 2 digital presses and 2 large format machines and these are powered entirely by solar energy. The company has also recently taken possession of an extra 600 square feet at their premises in Sussex

Commenting on becoming one of the first UK print companies to offer Climate Neutral Printing with ClimatePartner, Managing Director of Elephant Print and Display, Jason Gadd, stated, “We (Elephant Print and Display) are really pleased to be able to offer climate neutral printing and this fits in really well with the philosophy of our business.”

Jason continued, “ClimatePartner have been very thorough in helping us with training and setting up the system, it works well with our MIS and our customers are very happy to contribute to climate protection with their print work.” 

He added, “Climate protection and the use of renewable energy has increasingly become an important part of what we do. The cost is generally only about 1% to 2% of the finished job which I think is good value, to be able to offer this service and still stay competitive is essential.” 

Commenting on their work with Elephant Print, Moritz Lehmkuhl, managing director of ClimatePartner, added, “Elephant Print is helping its corporate customers to realise their climate protection strategies and to make their contribution to climate protection. ClimatePartner is very pleased to be working together with Elephant Print, and this will help to strengthen the commitment to climate protection in the UK.”

Moritz continued, “Climate change is the biggest challenge of the 21st century. Individual companies need to make their contribution as well. The use of climate neutral print products offers companies the opportunity to become active in climate protection quickly, and easily. In climate neutral printing, the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the printing process are precisely calculated, which allows the biggest emission drivers and reduction potential to be identified.”

He concluded, “Through investment in internationally recognised carbon offset projects, the unavoidable CO? emissions can then be offset, and the print products can thus be rendered climate neutral. Elephant Print makes the contribution to climate protection – with ClimatePartner.”

This latest environmental initiative announcement by Elephant follows the company’s installation earlier this year of 600 Solar PV panels, enabling them to run their presses and other machinery from the electricity generated. 

Elephant have 2 digital presses and 2 large format machines along with associated finishing equipment. The company operates out of 2 units and is looking to expand further this year. Recent investment has included upgrades to its finishing line with a Matrix 370P Laminator installed at the end of last year. 

Elephant are committed to low waste and renewable energy, with all waste and consumable containers being taken for recycling. 

Established in 2002, Elephant produces work for a wide range of mainly B2B customers and has full in-house finishing facilities at its premises near Lewes, East Sussex. The company operates an Indigo Digital Press and a range of finishing for both large and small format print work. As part of its business philosophy, Elephant uses environmental responsibility as a factor in procurement, energy usage and waste minimisation, and where possible advises its client to choose environmentally friendly products such as FSC certified papers.

Elephant Print and Display services a mainly business orientated customer base, built up of design and marketing agencies, local authorities, other print companies and freelance graphic designers.