Technoprint’s sustainability progress in 2022-23

Sustainability is at the core of everything we do here at Technoprint and we’re constantly striving to improve the way in which we operate.

Despite operating in a difficult economic climate over the last year, we’ve been able to achieve positive strides as a business, whilst also making significant progress in achieving our sustainability objectives.

In this blog, we’ll explore the progress we’ve made over the last twelve months to achieve greater operational sustainability and responsibility.

Environmental progress

Environmental sustainability has always been at the forefront of our agenda as a business, and by making this one of our core business priorities, we’ve been able to focus on reducing our emissions, cutting waste, and ensuring we comply with regulations.

Over the last year, when it comes to reducing our environmental output, we’ve made great progress through the implementation of key initiatives.

In late 2022, Technoprint invested in a replacement printing press that requires less paper use, and thus waste, as well as lower energy consumption. The introduction of the new press has helped to improve our capacity to meet customer demand, while at the same time ensuring we can do so in a more eco-friendly way.

To complement this investment, all our staff receive annual training on environmental practices to provide them with the tools and knowledge to go about their roles in an environmentally sustainable way.

Staff also endeavour to conduct as many meetings with customers, where possible, in a digital setting, so as to reduce the exhaust emissions caused by travel to physical meetings.

Responsible practices work in tandem with our waste protocols. 100% of our waste is collected and disposed of by Environmental Agency approved waste collectors to ensure it is sustainably managed, while all of our paper, plastic, cardboard and aluminium waste are recycled.

The team’s tireless work has been recognised by the fact we improved on our gold EcoVadis rating by achieving a platinum rating in December, which puts us in the top 1% of businesses for sustainability.

We place huge importance on operating in an environmentally sustainable way, so to have achieved such a great deal of progress over the last year is extremely satisfying.

Staff welfare

The welfare of our brilliant staff is paramount, and we’re committed to ensuring that they’re able to carry out their roles to the best of their abilities in a safe and supportive environment.

Many of our staff have attended and ultimately benefited from code of conduct training sessions, which are an essential part of maintaining our positive working culture that’s based on respect and equal treatment.

However, a positive culture can only be fully maintained if staff feel that they have the support and infrastructure they need to carry out their roles. This is why each member of the team is signed up to a workplace healthcare scheme, through which they have access to various support services for both physical and mental health.

We’re also proud to have a trained and qualified on-site mental health first aider, who provides a supportive and non-judgmental presence in the workplace, to help colleagues feel heard, understood and supported when they need to talk to someone.

This is complemented by our commitment, as a business, to fair pay and freedom of choice with all team members free to join or form trade unions of their own choosing.

Technoprint is a close-knit team who all work hard together – the business and our customers. We all care about each other and if someone’s struggling or feeling low, there’ll always be someone on hand to support.

Procurement

 To operate sustainably, its vital that we procure our raw materials and equipment in a responsible way that goes beyond just price and quality but also takes into account the broader impact of the products and services we’re supplied.

As part of this drive for responsible sourcing, we’ve transitioned to 100% FSC® papers, which guarantees that they’re fully recyclable and only contain materials that have been sustainably sourced.

In addition, we’ve moved away from using plastic tape on our boxes and packages and now use recyclable kraft paper tape, which ensures that our customers receive their products in environmentally sustainable packaging.

Ethical trading

From a moral and ethical standpoint, we strive to do the right thing by operating and trading in a way that’s responsible and transparent. We’ve had no issues, complaints or sanctions relating to forced or child labour or any form of discrimination at Technoprint and have also confirmed this for 100% of our critical suppliers.

This, coupled with 68% of our suppliers signing up to our Code of Conduct has helped to create a supply chain that’s built on social sustainability through responsible practices.

We were proud to have the Trussell Trust Mid-Cheshire Foodbank as our nominated charity last year and provided support to the cause through kind donations and collections from both staff and local residents.

The foodbank does vital work in our community and over the last year they’ve needed our support more than ever amidst the cost-of-living crisis.

Finally, we’ve also looked to support our local community by supplying defibrillators to four local sports groups, so that they have the equipment to potentially save young lives.

Defibrillators increase the chance of survival from a cardiac arrest by up to 90% and have saved so many lives across the country. This is why we also have one here at Technoprint HQ.

What’s next for Technoprint

We’re hoping to achieve even more over the course of the next year. From becoming a carbon-balanced printer to reducing our annual paper waste, there’s a great deal of work still to be done in the year ahead.

If you think that Technoprint can provide the solutions that your business needs, then get in touch with us here to find out more.