Australian Green Printers Directory

It's well recognised that printing on paper has the potential to have a huge negative impact on our environment in terms of pollution, deforestation, water and energy use. Thankfully in recent years, a growing number of printers have improved their practices to reduce this impact. I am often asked where people can find environmentally responsible printers and have created this directory in response to this.

In recent times, many printers are trying to 'green' their image with environmental policies that don't always cover all the bases in regards to true sustainability. Simply switching to vegetable based ink and computer to plate (CTP) technology (which is commonplace now anyway) but continuing to promote the use of unsustainable paper is one example.

I will only list those printers here who have made sustainability a genuine priority accross the whole of their business practice. This means they have gone the extra mile, like obtaining environmental accreditations, carbon offsetting or use of solar power. Ive done some of the research for you but can't take responsibility for any claims made by those printers listed. Please do your own research too and ask questions to make an informed descision. All the best with your green printing!

South Australia

:: Finsbury Green

1A South Road
Thebarton SA 5031
(08) 8234 8000

Finsbury Green have been the first in their industry on many environmental initiatives, including blending international quality and environmental management systems, low chemical manufacturing practices, low manufacturing wastes and high rates of recycling, carbon neutrality of their manufacturing operation, sustainability reporting, green procurement and industry benchmarking systems. Finsbury Green try and do things differently, by making ‘green’ seem normal rather than making normal seem ‘green’.

:: created2print
107 Sturt St
Adelaide SA 5000
(08) 8231 2352

created2print (formally Printak and Cruickshank Rapid) is home to the world’s first 100% solar powered printing machines. Commissioned in 2012, the solar powered print room has helped reduce some of Adelaide’s largest companies’ carbon footprint for over half a decade.

Along with the use of soy and vegetable based inks, recycled and carbon neutral paper stocks, created2print also recycles 100% of their aluminium press plates, utilises chemical free platemaking and donates their waste paper to local schools and childcare centres.

Winner of the 2013 Resource Efficiency Award, created2print are continually striving to be better for the environment and in turn, better for their clients. That’s why in 2019 they are installing a further 117 solar panels. Making their entire operation, from the very first phone enquiry, to printing the packing slip, 100% solar powered.

Victoria

:: Black Rainbow
(03) 5156 9353

Black Rainbow was Australia's first green printing company, established in 1987 to offer a printing service to those not wishing to be implicated in the destruction of earths native forests. They now operate using 100% solar power in all prepress and print production and still offer the highest environmental standards available in the printing industry. Black Rainbow claim that no other Australian printer can compete with their environmental credentials.

:: Complete Colour Printing
84-86 Herald St
Cheltenham VIC 3192
(03) 9585 7788

Complete Colour Printing's environmental management system includes adopting cleaner printing methods, continually employing their waste management system, participating with community groups with like-minded goals, implementing a Responsible Paper Purchasing Policy, educating & encouraging employees, suppliers and customers and using & recommending their online secure file transfer facility.

They are certified under the world class ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, ECO-Buy members and the only print company to hold a Gold Waste Wise Certificate.

:: Finsbury Green
46 Wirraway Drive
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
(03) 9644 9644

:: Mystique
25 Laser Drive
Rowville, VIC 3178
(03) 9757 9000

Mystique are Australia's first certified carbon neutral printer. They continually explore ways of integrating environmentally sustainable practices and standards to ensure that they are minimising the impact of their business on the environment over and above those measures required by law.

:: PrintTogether
771 Nicholson Street
Carlton North VIC 3054

PrintTogether uniquely specialise in 'Collective Green Printing' which identifies customers whose similar print requirements allow them to print together on the one press. By printing your materials side-by-side with others’, it saves you both time and money and most importantly, reduces the environmental impact of your printed materials even further, by reducing the amount of plates, paper, ink, energy and water required for each job.

PrintTogether offer a choice of economical and premium quality 100% post-consumer recycled paper stocks and use vegetable based inks.

NSW

:: Complete Colour Printing
Terrace 6
82-86 Pacific Highway
St. Leonard's NSW 2065
(02) 9439 9300

They are certified under the world class ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, ECO-Buy members and the only print company to hold a Gold Waste Wise Certificate.

:: Finsbury Green
Suite 803, Level 8, 5-13 Rosebery Avenue
Rosebery NSW 2018
(02) 9662 2600

ACT

:: Canprint Communications – Union Offset Printers
16 Nyrang St, Fyshwick
Phone: (02) 6295 4422

Canprint Communications - Union Offset Printers seek to reduce consumption of resources and improve efficiency in the use of these resources. More than 90% of the inks they use are vegetable based and they are moving toward an alcohol free print process to be in place in 2011. They say they are striving to continuously improve their environmental performance and integrate recognised applicable best practice into their business operations.

QLD

:: Austep Music
South Brisbane, QLD 4101
Phone: 1300 363 794

Austep Music's mission is to switch the CD cover industry to cardboard packaging. According to Julie's Bicycle, CDs are the 2nd biggest polluter in the music business, but using cardboard packaging instead of plastic reduces the pollution by 95%. They offer a range of affordable cardboard CD packaging options. Their CD cases are printed with 80% post-consumer recycled stock and vegetable-based ink and they plant a native tree for each job they print.

WA

:: Abbott & Co Printers
21 Glassford Road, Kewdale WA 6105
Phone: (08) 9353 1166

Abbott & Co Printers were awarded City of Belmont 2013 environmental award. They are working toward Sustainable Green Print Certification and looking at ways to reduce energy consumption and recycling of waste products. They use approved FSC papers with a focus to promote recycled paper and use environmentally friendly inks.

:: The Environmental Printing Company
305A Railway Parade, Maylands WA 6051
Phone: (08) 9271 1569

For the last 15 years the Environmental Printing Company has been using vegetable-based inks, recycled paper, sugar cane paper and many other environmentally friendly products. They produce high quality printing while reducing hydrocarbons (solvents) and other non-friendly chemicals from their printing process. Based in the Perth suburb of Maylands, Western Australia, all waste paper and by-products are collected for recycling, and they are committed to researching the latest in green alternatives in design and print through to waste disposal.

:: Label Makers
7 Karratha St, Welshpool WA 6106

Phone: (08) 9458 5100

Label Makers Pty Ltd are Green Stamp Level 3 certified, and say they are continually investing in new technologies to reduce their environmental impact. Recent investments include an upgrade of factory lighting reducing power consumption on lighting by 65%, installation of a 35kw solar power system, and a brand new state of the art rapid-changeover flexographic press designed to reduce setup times and reduce material wastage. They have a comprehensive environmental management system designed to go beyond legislative compliance, and to ensure they are continually improving our environmental and business practices.

:: Scott Print
4 Aberdeen Street, Perth WA 6000
Phone: (08) 9223 7788

Scott Print constantly invest in new technology and ensure that all processes operate within formalised environmental management systems (FSC® / ISO14001 / ISO9001 / Green Stamp / Sustainable Green Print). They offer alternatives like the water based aqueous varnish, matt etching (as an alternative to spot UV), all of our presses are alcohol free and are currently working on process-less plate technology.

Scott Print say that environmental excellence is ingrained in their culture. They work with their suppliers to create more environmentally efficient techniques, are proactive and seek to alter the entire print process at a micro level, yet never lose sight of their macro goals.

Printers wishing to be added to this list, please email me and explain in approximately 100 words the specific ways you have made sustainability a genuine priority accross the whole of your business practice including environmental accreditations achieved, for consideration for inclusion. Please also include contact details & website address. There is no charge for your listing. Thanks - Heide Hackworth, Creative Director

Australian Green Printers Directory