Green printer ahead of the pack

Commitment to environmental protection scores Melbourne-based print shop Vega Press the top sustainable innovative solution at Heidelberg’s second ECO Printing Awards.

Rob Nugent (pictured), commercial manager for Vega Colour Group accepted the award and a check for EUR 20,000 (A$26,514) at a ceremony at the Print Media Academy (PMA) in Heidelberg.

Together with efficient building insulation and coating its roof with a special UV reflective surface, Vega Press won the award focused on saving energy and conserving resources.

Peter Gude, managing director for Vega Colour Group says this is not about the carbon tax; it’s about reducing our footprint and being a good corporate citizen. “This award recognises the work we have been doing in sustainability for the past five to six years.

“We have also been used by VECCI (Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry) as an ambassador in the area of sustainability,” he adds.

Some 45 companies from 19 countries on four continents submitted entries to this international sustainability award for sheetfed offset print shops.

Dr. Achim Schorb, spokesman for the judging panel says the proposals submitted for environmental activities in the industry “were even better than last time round and were much more wide-ranging than in 2009. There were far more sustainable integrated solutions than innovative stand-alone solutions.”

Heidelberg awarded US-based The John Roberts Company as the most sustainably managed print shop.