Making Impressions awarded the Green Apple Environmental Award 2010

Environmental printer Making Impressions has become one of the first printers to be awarded the Green Apple Environmental Award 2010.

Green Apples are awarded in recognition of environmental best practice by non-profit environment group, The Green Organisation.

Hampshire-based Making Impressions said its entry was focused on its work towards getting EMAS certification.  

Managing director Richard Bond said: "Our aim is to analyse our performance and create a framework for ongoing improvement.

"We are also using our website as an educational resource for environmental issues, with a particular focus on addressing some of the commonly heard misleading claims."

David Shorto, environmental consultant to printing companies, has been working with the business and said its method was to gain appropriate accreditations selectively and not hide behind logos.

"Misinformation around paper, print and environmental issues is a huge problem," he said. "Print buyers and designers are bombarded by claims that a certain process, product or company is the best choice for environmental reasons."

The company is also are fully aware of the economic benefits of many environmental initiatives.

Bond said: "To us, it's simply common sense. It reduces our outgoing costs, our energy requirements and purchases of materials and consumables. It also increases internal recycling rates and reduces waste sent to landfill."

The business's outgoing costs have reduced, which Bond added has been important during the economic downturn.

"The measured aspects of our performance now act as a framework for further action and cost reduction," he said.

The Green Organisation is an independent, non-political, non-activist group that is dedicated to recognising environmental best practice around the world.