Clays Environmental Statement
5th July 2010
Clays works closely with our parent company St Ives plc on ways to reduce the impact the business has on the environment by specifically focusing on the needs of the book publishing and printing industry.
Clays has established the following general environmental objectives:
• Continuous environmental improvement and prevention of pollution
• Prevention of pollution, compliance with legal requirements and other requirements which relate to our environmental aspects.
• Improve our energy efficiency by technological and behavioural change
• Minimise waste through improved Waste Management and recycling.
• Minimise water consumption through reducing remakes
• Reduce the usage of Volatile Organic Compounds year on year. (VOCs)
• Capital investment programme driven by energy assessment from an external body
• Turnaround time and lot size reduction initiatives
Clays has implemented specific environmental objectives for 2010-2011 of:
Reduce slab paper wastage by 33%
Reduce the aggregate quantity of waste sent for landfill by 10%
Reduction of make ready sheets by 20%
Reduce significant environmental aspects where possible
Reduce foil usage by 12%
To ensure these objectives are met, environmental performance targets are set and reviewed on a regular basis.
The Environmental Management Representatives are responsible to the Manufacturing Director for monitoring and reporting upon the environmental performance of Clays with reference to the above objectives and targets.
A copy of this policy statement is available on request and will be reviewed and updated regularly with changes being communicated to all employees.
Materials – Wide Portfolio of Choice
Clays’ objective is to offer a portfolio of alternative materials for all publishers along with their environmental benefits, value profile and performance implications.
We have a programme to identify more environmentally friendly materials which can be used in the book manufacturing process. We have ongoing development programmes with our key suppliers. Each must provide their environmental policy and accreditation status; and all must be able to demonstrate their supplied material’s environmental credentials.
Supply Chain – Reduced “Book Miles”
Clays are already working with both our customers and suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of a book in the supply chain. We have an active programme targeting the reduction of “book miles” through effective fulfilment, capital investment and collaborative partnerships.
ISO14001
Clays was awarded ISO14001:2004 certification on 13th August 2008. This accreditation has been held continuously since without major non-conformance or prosecution.
Kate McFarlan
Managing Director
Clays
St Ives Group and the environment
St Ives is committed to continuous improvement in all aspects of its business and recognises and accepts that its responsibilities with regard to environmental protection rank equally in importance with other key business objectives. The St Ives board is responsible for the implementation of this policy. The divisional directors and site senior managers are responsible for the day to day implementation of this policy at each operating unit with assistance and guidance from the St Ives Health, Safety and Environmental Adviser.
St Ives has established the following environmental objectives:
St Ives and its subsidiaries will, so far as is reasonably practicable:
• Ensure that its products and their manufacture by member companies will not be harmful to people or the environment
• Strive continually to improve the environmental efficiency of its operations so as to;
• Minimise the use of energy and raw materials
• Minimise the total carbon emissions of its operations and processes
• Minimise and, wherever practicable avoid, the generation of waste
• Prevent pollution of the environment, with specific emphasis on minimising the emission of volatile organic compounds to the atmosphere
• Comply with all relevant environmental legislation
• Include a review of environmental commitment as a criterion for the selection of suppliers and contractors
• Operate its facilities in a responsible manner in the communities in which they reside
In order to achieve our aims and objectives, all St Ives UK sites have established Environmental Management Systems to ISO14001:2004. In addition, St Ives sets specific environmental performance targets for all of its sites. These targets are reviewed and updated annually. The targets address the following key environmental aspects:
• Energy consumption
• Waste management
• Water consumption
• Raw materials procurement and usage
• Materials recycling
• Use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
The St Ives Health, Safety and Environmental Adviser is responsible to me for monitoring and reporting upon the environmental performance of all of the company’s subsidiaries with reference to the above objectives and targets.
Download our FSC Accreditation Certificate here
Download our FSC Certifications here
from tree to paper to books & back to tree
For instance, we incinerate all paper dust created through book production, reducing it to around 40 tonnes of ash per year. Instead of sending this waste to landfill, we recently discovered a more environmentally friendly means of disposal. A local worm farm produces a wholly organic, general purpose soil conditioner. We send them our dust ash which they then spread over their worm beds. This helps produce a soil conditioner containing all the nutrients, minerals, bacteria and micro-organisms needed to benefit plant growth. So, from tree to paper to books and back to tree, Clays completes the eco-circle.
Additionally Clays supports green4books. This environmental action group was formed by The Publishers Association and The Booksellers Association to encourage and help the book industry to reduce its carbon emissions, operate more sustainably and reduce the impact of book publishing and bookselling on the environment.
Click here to visit the green4books site
corporate social responsibility
At Clays, we’ve long been aware of our responsibility to the environment. That’s why we’ve developed our own environmental policy and a plan of action that dovetails with the St Ives Group Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.
To illustrate the range of our services, of necessity, we have reproduced customers' registered and unregistered trade marks and representations of their brands. The rights that our customers have in their respective trade marks and brands are fully acknowledged.