Jon Stack, scheme manager of Print and Media Certification
MAYBE... "It’s too simplistic to talk about a north-south divide. PMC has been getting considerably more enquiries for environmental certifications from the south than the north, but this may just be because there are more printers based in the south. In recent weeks, we’ve had a number of new ISO 14001 customers from the Midlands and the north, which followed a cluster of certifications in the south, some of whom were going down that route in response to Olympics requirements. So the location of print buyers is also likely to be a factor. "

Dale Wallis, membership director at the BPIF
NO... "There are different approaches to being green throughout the UK, but no obvious signs of a divide. Approaches differ from being compliant with legislation, to taking full advantage of the cost benefits of being green. There seems to be more pressure from print buyers in the south, which is becoming more demanding and less realistic. I have seen more evidence in the north that printers are more proactive in green issues and start to benefit from savings earlier. The only divide I see is that closer to Westminster, there is more funding to support greening up."

Julie Rice, commercial manager at Evolution Print, Sheffield
NO... "I’d argue the north is more environmentally aware than the south. The ‘grim north’ had to get its act together as early as the first clean air act in 1956 and the habit continues. Our car park has had as many cycles as cars for as long as I can remember and we work in an almost instinctively environmentally responsible manner. Maybe the north takes environmental issues in its stride, but is more reticent than the south in promoting good environmental practices as part of a marketing strategy."

Steve Hallett, managing director of Repropoint, Surrey
NO... "The answer should be no, as any printer that listens to its customers will hear environmental awareness is growing. From early requests for recycled paper to the current increased awareness of FSC, our customers are asking more questions than ever before about our green commitment. We have written policies concerning the recycling of cardboard and paper and regular contact with our local authority to identify environmentally aware initiatives, which can be adopted by local businesses."