Why Print is Part of the Sustainability Conversation

Sustainability is no longer a side consideration. For many organisations, it now sits at the centre of decision-making – influencing procurement, supplier selection and long-term strategy.

As expectations have grown, organisations are being asked to look more closely at how they operate and who they work with day-to-day. That includes Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, supply chains and the environmental impact of the materials they use. Print is an important part of that conversation. But while requirements have evolved, perceptions around print haven’t always kept pace.

Challenging People’s Assumptions About Print

Print and paper have long been associated with environmental concerns, often based on outdated or incomplete information. In reality, the picture is far more balanced.

Paper is a natural, renewable material, sourced largely from responsibly managed forests. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and that carbon continues to be stored within paper products throughout their lifecycle. Forest growth across Europe has also increased over time, helping to support a sustainable supply of raw materials for the paper industry.

Recycling plays an equally important role. Paper remains one of the most widely recycled materials, with fibres reused multiple times before reaching the end of their usable life. (A paper fibre’s full lifecycle could start off in high-grade printing paper into regular paper into tissue paper into loo roll or pet bedding.) A combination of recycled and responsibly sourced virgin fibre is essential to maintaining the quality of paper used in the print industry.

Even comparisons between print and digital aren’t always as straightforward as they appear. According to sustainability expert Mike Berners-Lee, author of ‘How Bad Are Bananas?’, it can take the equivalent of at least 36 paperback books to match the carbon footprint of a single e-reader. This isn’t about positioning print against digital. It’s about understanding that both have a role to play – and that sustainability depends on how each is used.

Sustainability as a Procurement Priority

What has changed significantly in recent years is how sustainability is assessed. It’s no longer enough to focus on the finished product. Organisations are increasingly looking at the entire supply chain – from raw materials and production methods to delivery and end-of-life recycling.

This is particularly evident in tender processes, where sustainability credentials often form part of the evaluation criteria. Questions around carbon impact, material sourcing and environmental policies are now standard rather than exceptional. The nice-to-haves are now have-to-haves.

For many organisations, this means working more closely with suppliers who can provide both transparency and practical guidance.

When it comes to print, that might include:

•  Selecting materials with clear environmental credentials

•  Reducing waste through more efficient production methods

•  Managing stock levels to avoid overproduction

•  Considering storage and distribution as part of the wider process

Sustainability, in this context, becomes a shared responsibility rather than a single decision.

Practical Steps in Print Production

At iQ Digital House, sustainability is approached as an ongoing process rather than a fixed outcome. Over time, a number of practical changes have been introduced to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the quality and reliability that customers expect.

These include:

•  Investment in energy-efficient equipment, including newer Canon digital presses designed to operate with lower emissions

•  The introduction of an electric van and electric forklift to reduce transport-related emissions

•  The use of LED lighting throughout the production space to improve energy efficiency

•  Equipment such as banding machines that reduce material waste and improve packing efficiency

•  Ongoing evaluation of future improvements, including solar energy, as part of a longer-term approach to reducing environmental impact

Alongside equipment and energy use, material choices also play an important role. Where appropriate, alternative substrates and more sustainable paper options can be considered, helping organisations align print projects with their wider environmental goals.

Working with Responsible Industry Initiatives

Sustainability in print is supported by a number of industry-wide initiatives that promote responsible sourcing and environmental awareness. At iQ Digital House, we continue to work with organisations such as Two Sides, a global non-profit founded in 2008 that promotes the sustainability of paper and print. They bring together the whole supply chain, from forestry and pulp to paper and ink, challenging common misconceptions and greenwashing claims with their balanced and research-based information.

Their Love Paper campaign educates consumers on the environmental credentials of paper products and supports responsible paper use. We are also members of the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF), ensuring our approach reflects recognised standards and current best practice.

Initiatives such as these encourage greater transparency across the industry. Incorporating recognised marks on printed materials can also help communicate sustainability credentials more clearly to end-users – something that is becoming increasingly important as organisations look to demonstrate responsible practices across their communications.

Reducing Waste Through Smarter Print

One of the most effective ways to improve sustainability is often the simplest: that is reducing waste. Advances in digital print technology have made it easier to produce materials on demand, rather than relying on large print runs that risk becoming outdated and unused.

This shift allows:

•  Shorter, more targeted print runs

•  Greater flexibility when content needs updating

•  Reduced storage requirements

•  Fewer surplus materials at the end of a project

Where materials are no longer needed, recycling is an important part of the process. We regularly support customers in recycling unneeded brochures, leaflets and paper-based materials, and are continuing to explore ways to expand this capability – helping organisations manage print more responsibly beyond the point of use.

Print’s Role in a Balanced Approach

As sustainability continues to shape decision-making, print remains a relevant and valuable part of the mix. It offers something that digital channels cannot replicate – a tangible, physical presence that informs, engages and builds trust. At the same time, it can be produced in a way that aligns with modern environmental expectations, provided the right choices are made at each stage of the process.

For organisations going through increasingly complex sustainability requirements, the focus is shifting away from whether to use print, and towards how to use it responsibly. This approach also extends to our projects delivered through iQ Cards, where sustainability considerations are built into our popular school fundraising campaigns.

We use Carbon Balanced Paper – where the emissions associated with its production are ‘balanced’ (ie offset) by the global conservation charity World Land Trust – and incorporate recognised marks such as the Love Paper logo. With our net-zero partners Switch2Zero we are able to support initiatives like tree planting and removing plastics from the ocean, and our schools scheme provides a practical example of how environmental responsibility can be applied at scale.

In our last Christmas campaign, we planted a tree for every school that took part – 970 trees in total!

What This Means in Practice

Sustainability is not a one-off initiative. It is an ongoing process of review, refinement and improvement. As technology evolves and expectations continue to rise, the print industry will keep adapting – with more efficient equipment, smarter workflows and a growing range of sustainable materials.

At iQ Digital House, this means continuing to invest in better ways of working, supporting our customers with informed choices and ensuring that print remains both effective and responsible.

If you are reviewing your approach to print and would like to explore more sustainable options, our team would be happy to talk through your next project