The fully funded programme enables printers in the region to achieve the Carbon Smart Blue Award and is geared towards SME businesses as a more accessible and affordable proof of their environmental efforts than other accreditations.

The scheme, which is funded through the European Regional Development Fund, involves a half day site visit from a Carbon Smart consultant to measure the carbon footprint and identify where energy and resources efficiencies could be made.

This is followed by training workshops to help staff introduce low-carbon strategies and promote environmental credentials to customers. At the end of the process the company will have a environment policy and action plan to ensure that green practices are maintained.

Marketing director for £5.5m-turnover playing card printer Richard Edward, Louisa Moger said that the process provided "a tangible way to show our clients what we are doing". She added that using video conferencing rather than taking international flights, for example, and using sea rather than air to freight goods all helped reduce carbon use. "It's about how we can help our clients meet their objectives," she said.

Liberty Services chairman Gavin Reddin described the scheme as "a very simple and direct approach based around an action plan that everyone can buy into".

The scheme was set up earlier this year to help printers with fewer than 250 employees and a turnover below £50m gain access to credible green credentials.