Live as of Monday (21 January), the scheme is intended to promote the reduction of the use of single-use plastics in print companies. London-based ABC is currently the sole participant, with the firm launching its call to competitors and suppliers.

To begin, ABC has stopped using plastic pens in favour of pencils, dropped plastic business card boxes in favour of card, and begun providing reusable bags for its staff to take when shopping for lunch. Its aim is to reduce company-wide plastic use by 50% in the first year.

Further steps will include the provision of reusable water bottles, as well as adding extra charges for the use of acetate covers and other plastic substrates that will in turn be donated to green charities or pay for carbon offsetting.

Sales director Duncan Stuart said: “Walking around our print room, we saw the amount of one-use plastic we had on the go and thought there must be something we can do about it.

“Following on from our ISO 9001 accreditation, we moved up to the 14001 and then decided to turbo-charge our efforts. There are, according to the latest BPIF count, 8,500 print companies in the UK and if even 1,000 take part we can make a difference.

“In 30 years’ time, there will be more plastic in the sea than fish so even the smaller changes need to be made now. It is early days for us, but if people come on board that will be fantastic.”

Participants will be able to sign up by contacting ABC and signing a pledge to bring down their plastic usage. It will then be able to use the official, copyrighted Printers Against Plastic emblem on its communications to clients.

One-time star of the BBC's Apprentice, ABC will then monitor the participating companies to make sure they stick to their pledges.