The Digital Print Partnership increases recycling to 97.7%

The Digital Print Partnership has boosted its recycling levels from 60% to 97.7% after it implemented a recycling programme in March 2010.

The digital printer has looked at the disposal of its mixed paper, cardboard, aluminium drums, palettes, reel tubes and plastic reel end caps, and now undergoes stringent testing each month by a waste management company.

Some 97.9% is now recycled, and its general waste is sorted into recyclables and non-recyclables.

Bernard O'Connor, the company's group procurement and supply chain specialist, has been raising the company's recyclability.

He said: "Obtaining FSC accreditation shows a commitment to the environment.

"However, to create a waste recycling programme incorporating all of the sites' waste streams is taking our environmental policy huge a step further."

The Digital Print Partnership has also worked closely with its suppliers, which has included working with Xeikon, which has developed a larger toner bottle for machines.

Emma Digerud-Waring, head of marketing at the 150-staff business, said that increasing toner bottles from 800ml to 1,200ml meant lowering waste and reduced Xeikon's carbon footprint.

"As a result of looking at what was happening at the plant, the company has become a much leaner business," she said.

"We have saved money by implementing these standards, and now hope to increase our recycling to 100%."