01732 759725 42 VOX POP continued... While it sounds good to some, carbon offsetting cannot be seen as a way for businesses to carry on as before or cause a distraction from reducing GHG emissions in the first place PrintIT Reseller: Have you changed your offering in favour of supporting the circular economy and reducing the carbon cost of acquiring printing devices? Think favouring remanufactured devices and/or those which contain recycled content, or products designed to be in use for longer with extended warranties etc.? a diverse array of verified carbon reduction projects globally. While carbon offsetting is beneficial, it isn’t a comprehensive solution. Ideally, in a perfect world, all carbon emissions would be minimised to zero or near-zero at the source. Within our industry, achieving this goal entails adopting practices such as sourcing zero-carbon electricity, transitioning to electric vehicles, promoting carbon neutral manufacturing processes, and implementing sustainable packaging, among others. Tracey Taylor, General Manager, First Copy: At First Copy, we’re careful not to suggest that our partnership with Ecologi to plant trees for installs and enquiries is carbon offsetting. While it sounds good to some, carbon offsetting cannot be seen as a way for businesses to carry on as before or cause a distraction from reducing GHG emissions in the first place. At First Copy, we are looking at ways to reduce our own emissions and support customers to reduce theirs, including investing in electric vehicles and undertaking a carbon audit to understand our position in 2023. We have invested in carbon reduction projects as an extra step only where we have not yet been able to eliminate emissions at the source. Martin Randall, Sales and Marketing Director, Vision: I think the thing to remember is that most companies are at varying stages of their sustainability journey. There’s been a huge increase in awareness around carbon neutrality and net-zero in recent years, and whilst most know they have a part to play in shaping a more environmentally sound future, many don’t know where to start. Carbon offsetting has a part to play in this, particularly in the short-term as the reality is most businesses aren’t going to achieve net-zero in the near future. Carbon reduction planning is an essential part of the process, which is something we’re doing as an organisation, but for those who want to achieve carbon neutrality, offsetting is a valuable tool to bridge the gap and offset their emissions. Obviously not all offsets are equal, so ensuring any offsetting is done through certified initiatives is the way to go. Daniel Gilbert, Managing Director, Key Digital: While carbon offsetting can provide seemingly immediate benefits, I don’t believe it should be viewed as a substitute for reducing emissions at their source. It should complement efforts in the transition period to cleaner energy sources and improved efficiency, while offsetting only the carbon that cannot be removed. Failing to address the root causes of emissions and potentially enabling continued negative actions means progress is never achieved. If there’s money available for carbon offsetting then there should be equal amounts, or more, invested in reducing emissions. There are valid arguments on both sides, but they serve different purposes. I would advocate for a focus on directly reducing emissions as a first priority as that will yield longer-term benefits and then offset the carbon that cannot be removed. I think all of us becoming advocates for greener more sustainable policies is what will drive change in this area, both in Key Digital and as consumers. We are continually analysing the vehicle emissions of our service teams and plan deliveries and service visits to be more efficient. We have recently invested in hybrid response vehicles and look toward 100% electric vehicles as range improvements are made. Daniel Maddox: We understand businesses are asking for greener ways of working, and we’re listening. Instead of just pushing a brand new kit, we’re all about those circular economy principles nowadays. This means we also focus on refurbished machines that are as good as new but kinder on the planet and your wallet. Plus, we check for printers made with recycled parts and those built to last, with warranties that give customers peace of mind. It’s about helping you get the printing you need, but in a way that’s easier on the environment. Ryan Green: We believe as we move forward, a focus on circularity, remanufactured devices, recycled content, and extended warranties will play a crucial role in creating a more environmentally responsible approach for our customers when acquiring printing devices. At Carbon we keep to three key principles – reduce, reuse and recycle. By refurbishing used devices to extend their lifespan, we reduce the need for new manufacturing and minimise waste. These devices can also be a cost-effective and sustainable choice for small businesses. We have also made a conscious business decision to partner only with manufacturers and vendors who provide recycled content. By that we mean who prioritise new devices that contain recycled materials. By incorporating recycled plastics and metals into printer components manufacturers can help reduce the demand for resources. We also evaluate all the products we recommend making sure they are designed for durability – by that I mean sturdy construction, repair-friendly Tracey Taylor
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