Rotherhithe print firm wins prestigious environmental business award

SPM Print was praised for its recycling achievements, its efforts in making its lighting energy efficient, training its staff and sourcing green products.

They are only the fifth business to attain the gold award since the awards were revamped in the summer of 2008.

Until that date the council's awards programme had focused solely on waste and recycling measures. However, as of July 2008, it also recognises businesses that are cutting their carbon footprint through energy and water efficiency, green travel and green purchasing practices.

Businesses which make these environmental savings will be recognised with gold, silver or bronze awards, depending on the green practices they put in place.

Among other achievements, SPM Print is also ISO 14001 certified, which is the highest environmental accreditation available and is recognised worldwide.

Mark Sayer, Operations Director at SPM Print, said: "There are a lot of printing companies trying to achieve ISO14001 now because their clients (or potential clients) require it, but SPM were awarded this accreditation back in 2007 because we believe in acting responsibly towards our environment and are not just doing it because we've been asked to."

Cllr Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council, said: "We're encouraging everyone in our borough - residents and businesses - to be as green as possible through our Environmental Business Awards scheme. SPM Print has shown that through simple things like staff training and more energy efficient lighting, big changes can be made."

Further information

The Environmental Business Awards are part of Southwark Council's drive to reduce borough-wide carbon emissions by 8.5 percent by 2011. The council's Big Switch Off campaign aims to get everyone - from individuals to organisations - cutting down on unnecessary energy consumption.

For more information on the Big Switch Off, visit the energy efficiency page. 

From schools wanting to take part in the eco schools initiative, to residents hoping to save money in their own home, to businesses wanting to be more energy efficient, Southwark Council can offer a wealth of support and advice.

SPM were singled out for their environmentally friendly work, including efforts to

• recycle many items including paper, packaging, plastic containers, as well as ink tins and paper wipes
• educate all staff in environmental practices and the recycling programme
• reduce energy lighting by 35 percent, which has been achieved by replacing light fittings
• purchase paper from 100 percent recycled sources
• sign up to the Mayors Green Procurement Code.

In June 2007 the firm was given ISO14001 certification, which is the highest environmental accreditation available and is recognised worldwide. In August of the same year, it was given FSC certification, the international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to responsible management of the worlds' forests.

Please visit SPM Print for more information.  

Southwark Council has been running the environmental business awards for over five years, re-launching them in 2008 to include more areas of the environment.

Visit the environment business awards pages for more information.