Heidelberg Launches Environmental Self Assessment For Printers

To help printers better understand their environmental impact and provide assistance in sustainable efforts, Heidelberg has developed a free online self-assessment tool. The Environmental Self-Assessment is one of many sustainability initiatives introduced by Heidelberg, which also include a CO2 calculator, CO2 neutral equipment, and the "Eco" product lines of Saphira Consumables.

The Self-Assessment consists of three areas, which are in line with the set-up and terminology of the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP):

“Product” (i.e., the design aspects, substrate choices and material management to create the finished item);
“Process” (i.e., the manufacturing steps involved in converting input materials into a finished product); and
“Envelope” (all manufacturing support activities and functions, including building, grounds, utilities, employees).

With the Self-Assessment, printers can learn to use fewer resources in a smarter way to save money. Green practices can also appeal to new or potential customers. The assessment includes a variety of factors, ranging from overall environmental management to daily decision making. Some of the topics include:

Level of consultancy with your customer about minimizing the overall environmental footprint of a project.
Your knowledge of environmental impact of your substrates and consumables.
Your recycling initiatives.
Your color management procedures and certifications.
Your manufacturing process efficiencies.
Your building certifications in general and pressroom environment in particular.

Once completed, Heidelberg’s Environmental Self-Assessment provides a general grading, as well as more detailed information in all three sub-segments. Users will receive an email with a link to their results, which they can share with others in their organization. Using this information, each participant should be able to identify possible next steps.

Measure Your Environmental Efforts With Online Assessment From Heidelberg