At Reeds we believe that our print should have impact on the eye and not the environment. We, therefore, endeavour to act in an environmentally friendly manner to minimise any possible damage caused to the environment - either directly or indirectly.

Our environmental ethos was officially recognised in May 2008 by the awarding of ISO14001:2004 certification as well as Gold Award status awarded by Cumbria Business Environmental Network. Early in 2009 we successfully gained Forest Stewardship Council accreditation a

certification in May 2010.

Reeds have been recognised as one of the most environmentally friendly printers in the UK by a website run by David Shorto, print buyer for charities Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. The website - www.ppe.uk.net - only features print companies with proven environmental commitment through appropriate accreditation. According to the website, there are at least 10,000 printers in the UK of which less than 100 have invested resources in reducing their environmental impact over and above the legal requirements. The website lists some of these 100 firms, of which Reeds is one, putting us well in the top 1% of the UK’s greenest printers.

Below is a summary of the certification Reeds have gained together with some of the measures we have put in place to help make Reeds a 'green' printers.

is the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems and Reeds are now one of only a handful of commercial printers in the North West who have gained the coveted standard. Certification came after months of hard work, site visits, internal and external audits etc. and our aim now is not only hold on to ISO14001 but to try to be ahead of it!
Download our ISO14001 certificate

Reeds Printers has been certified to ISO14001:2004 for the following scope - the environmental
management of all operations at the Penrith site, including design, lithographic, digital and flexographic printing and finishing operations. Certification is subject to periodic surveillance and re-assessment. For further information regarding the validity of the certification please contact Print and Media Certification Ltd on info@printcertification.co.uk



Reeds are also Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited which was gained by us in early 2009. Our FSC accreditation recognises our commitment to using paper and board from well managed and sustainable forests.

For more information on our FSC accreditation click here

The Cumbria Business Environment Network (CBEN) Gold Award is only
given to companies who have demonstrated a high level of excellence
in the identification, assessment and control of their environmental aspects/impacts via an Environmental Management System which has been independently audited.


In May 2010 Reeds successfully underwent an external, independent audit and are now certified to the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) standard.

PEFC is a global umbrella organisation for the assessment of national forest certification schemes which build upon the inter-governmental processes for the promotion of sustainable forest management.

To find out more about the PEFC visit www.pefc.co.uk
For more information on our PEFC accreditation click here


Over the last couple of years Reeds Printers have worked hard to ensure that their environmental management system produces results and isn’t just window dressing. We have addressed a number of issues including:

• the installation of energy efficient lighting in the main print works
• the use of vegetable based inks in the printing process
• the fitting of PIR sensors in low usage areas to auto switch lights off
• the implementation of a ‘Cycle To Work’ scheme
• installation of a process-less platemaking machine saving energy and chemical usage as well negating the need to discharge to drain
• the recycling of over 95% of all waste materials
• by employing recycling bins around the works we have reduced our landfill waste by over 80% - and counting!
• composting of staff room food waste
• implementing a paper  stock management system which is reducing over ordering, wastage and stock levels
• employing an award winning company to recycle by-products of the printing process in an environmentally friendly manner
• employing a full time Environmental Manager to oversee the system and implement new procedures
  
  
  For more information please download our Environmental Policy