CJ Field Design : Environmental Statement

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

We believe that all companies should actively participate in environmental protection and so we have implemented a range of computing and telecoms technologies to lessen the impact of our work on the environment.

Reduce

Our CPUs, monitors and printers are all EPA Energy Star-compliant.
We use a web-based proofing system which dramatically reduces our output of paper proofs. Adobe Acrobat PDFs are viewable on any computing platform using the free Adobe™ Acrobat™ Reader.
Some jobs are never printed at all but are supplied instead as PDFs to be distributed electronically via the client's own intranet.
Where appropriate, we recommend digital print which bypasses the film and plate-making stages involved in traditional printing techniques.
We are acutely aware of transport-related pollution and so do not request meetings with clients unless absolutely necessary. The technologies we have adopted facilitate a high level of client involvement in projects, are time-efficient, and have minimal impact on the environment.

Reuse

Where possible, we use second-user machines to reduce pollution caused by computer dumping.
Our toner cartridges are part-recycled.
Packing materials are reused.

Recycle

Obsolete machines are given away to others with less demanding computing needs.
All spent toner cartridges are recycled through the Apple™ Clean Earth Campaign.
Old paperwork, periodicals and direct mail are sent for recycling. Anything containing client details or sensitive information is mechanically shredded first.

Paper

Although paper is biodegradable, as designers we recognise that some of the printed work we're involved in eventually finds its way into landfill sites. Britain recovers markedly less paper for recycling than the EU average and only around 55 per cent of all fibre currently used in the manufacture of paper and board in the UK is derived from waste paper.

If clients prefer to use recycled or non-wood-based stock we will work closely with printers to ensure that their wishes are met, as long as a suitable stock for the job is available. It is, however, important to bear in mind that even paper recycling, particularly de-inking, is itself an industrial process with its own waste products and is therefore not a complete solution.

How Much Is Enough?

In our view we should all take responsibility for the source of the problem - the volume of printed output - and tackle it where possible. We therefore ask clients to please consider the following points when commissioning work:

How many printed copies of your work do you really need?
How will you accurately target its distribution so that the bulk of it doesn't end up in a landfill?
Who is your target audience and are they likely to have internet facilities? Could some, or perhaps all, copies of your work be distributed electronically as a PDF?
If the publication is to be distributed locally could you assist a local recycling initiative by including details of their facilities?
If you still find you've printed too many copies is there a school or charity that might be able to use the surplus so that it's not simply thrown away?

Links

COMPUTER RECYCLING

1.5 million PCs are discarded to UK landfill sites every year (Source: BBC, March 15, 2004). Several charities accept used PCs, monitors and peripherals for refurbishment and distribution to education projects here and abroad. Please see the following links for further information:

www.digitalpartnership.org
www.digital-links.org
www.computer-aid.org
Computers for Schools Kenya, www.cfsk.org

Oxfam accepts old mobile phones, computers and toner cartridges. For more information see: www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/recycle/index.htm

GENERAL RECYCLING

www.wastewatch.org.uk
Information on all aspects of recycling.

www.nrf.org.uk
Database to help you source recycled products.

www.recycle-more.co.uk
Find recycling facilities in your area.

www.wigglywigglers.co.uk
Worm composting and nature conservation products.