The received wisdom is that the continued economic pressures have forced the environment further down the average printer’s agenda. However, as illustrated in this year’s survey, that’s not an accurate assessment of the wider picture.

What is apparent though, is that some of the key green talking points, as highlighted in the fascinating features in this year’s report, will have a familiar ring about them to many of you.

For example, the ongoing arguments over which is greener, recycled papers or sustainably sourced grades, or whether the business benefit of gaining accreditations are worth the expense, are no nearer being answered than they were several years ago.

Nor, for that matter, is the apparent ignorance over the environmental impact of electronic communications showing any sign of diminishing – although this is not necessarily through a lack of interest, but more due to the lack of available information.

While it’s apparent that many of these debates are yet to run their course, what is clear is that there is a common theme: the importance of return on investment.

Whether you’re looking at making large or small investments in technology to reduce your environmental impact, debating the merits of recycled or virgin grades or print versus electronic communications with clients, or perhaps continuing or beginning your accreditation journey, each discussion will have a common conclusion: what is my return on investment?

Because, whichever way you look at it, environmental decisions need to make business sense. The good news is, that more often than not, they do.

Darryl Danielli
Editor, PrintWeek