Sustainability at Printdesigns
At Printdesigns Limited, sustainability is an important part of how we operate, manufacture and develop our products. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, minimising waste and helping our customers make more responsible choices when purchasing exhibition, event and display products.
Our approach focuses on three key areas: reducing the environmental impact of our own operations, developing reusable and lower-impact display products, and improving biodiversity and environmental quality around our premises in Stone, Staffordshire.
Latest Sustainability Updates
```Green Solutions Review – Key Improvements Identified
In November 2023, we completed a Green Solutions Review with support from the Staffordshire County Council Low Carbon Team. The review identified several high-impact opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint, including:
- Installation of new compressed air pipework to reduce waste — estimated saving: 540 kWh per year
- Installation of a solar PV array — estimated saving: 44,491 kWh per year
- Installation of a new roof and insulation — estimated saving: 605 kWh per year
Solar PV Performance Update
Since installing our solar PV array on 30 August 2024, we have generated 96.31 MWh of clean electricity. Of this, 54.49 MWh has been used on-site and 41.82 MWh has been exported to the grid.
This means 45.65% of our total energy consumption has been entirely self-generated.
Air Source Heat Pump Installation
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On Wednesday 25 March 2026, Printdesigns completed the installation of a new high-efficiency air source heat pump system at our headquarters in Stone, Staffordshire.
The system replaces our previous gas-fired central heating system and forms part of our long-term commitment to reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency throughout our operations.
By heating our premises using electricity rather than natural gas, we are able to make better use of the renewable electricity generated by our on-site solar PV array.
The installation was supported through the Staffordshire County Council Low Carbon Business Programme and represents another important milestone in our sustainability journey.
```Green Space & Biodiversity Improvement Project
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In May 2026, Printdesigns successfully secured support through a Staffordshire County Council environmental improvement initiative to help enhance biodiversity and green spaces at our headquarters in Stone, Staffordshire.
Working alongside Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, we are developing a long-term landscaping and habitat creation plan designed to increase biodiversity, improve ecological resilience and create a more attractive outdoor environment for staff, visitors and local wildlife.
The proposed improvements include native wildflower planting, pollinator-friendly planting schemes, additional trees and shrubs, bird boxes, bee and invertebrate habitats, hedgehog habitat areas and dedicated wildlife-friendly planting zones.
```Sustainable Products & Materials
```As a UK manufacturer and supplier of exhibition, event and display products, we recognise that sustainability is not only about how we operate internally. It is also about the products we design, manufacture and supply to our customers.
Reusable Display Products
Many of our display products are designed for repeated use across multiple events, exhibitions and promotional campaigns.
We supply replacement graphics for many systems, allowing customers to update their message while continuing to reuse the same hardware.
ShellTex™ provides a reusable fabric solution for shell scheme exhibition stands, helping customers reduce waste from short-term event graphics.
Bamboo & Cardboard Displays
We supply display products manufactured using sustainably farmed bamboo, including our bamboo banner stand range.
Printdesigns was one of the original developers of portable display banners manufactured using FSC-sourced cardboard materials.
Our eco-focused cardboard display products include cardboard monolith displays, eco banner displays and other lightweight recyclable display solutions.
RPET Fabric Graphics
We have been dye sublimation printing fabric graphics for more than 15 years.
Where suitable, we offer RPET polyester materials made from recycled plastic bottles.
Dye sublimation printing produces durable, vibrant graphics suitable for repeated use across multiple events.
We continue to expand our range of PVC-free, recyclable and lower-impact print materials wherever practical, helping customers choose display solutions that are durable, reusable and better suited to repeated event use.
Waste Reduction & Circular Economy
```Packaging Reuse
We reuse packaging materials received from suppliers wherever possible. Cardboard boxes, protective packaging and packing materials are retained and repurposed for customer shipments or internal use.
Pallet Reuse
Wooden pallets received into the business are reused wherever possible. Where pallets are no longer required, they are provided to a local farmer who reuses the timber for practical agricultural purposes, including temporary fencing.
On-Site Composting
In February 2026, we installed our own composting facilities at our premises. Staff food waste is now composted on-site, with the resulting compost used to support planting, landscaping and garden areas around our site.
How We Put Sustainability Into Practice
```Reducing Travel & Transport
- We minimise travel by prioritising video conferencing over in-person meetings where practical.
- Staff are supported to work from home where appropriate to reduce commuting.
- We use logistics planning software to help optimise delivery routes.
- Sustainability credentials are considered when selecting logistics partners.
Minimising Waste
- We operate a paper-light office with digital workflows for accounting, order management and administration.
- When printing is necessary, we use reduced-size or double-sided formats where possible.
- Office and factory by-products, including materials, equipment and computer supplies, are recycled wherever possible.
- Redundant but functional IT equipment is donated to local organisations or individuals where appropriate.
Energy Efficiency
- We invest in energy-efficient production machinery and ensure equipment is only powered when required.
- All non-essential machines are shut down and isolated when not in operation.
- Our solar PV array generates a significant proportion of the electricity used by the business.
- We are phasing out on-site IT hardware and adopting cloud-based systems to reduce energy demand.
Responsible Purchasing
- Food and beverage supplies purchased by the business are, where possible, Fairtrade and/or organic.
- Our subcontractors are selected with consideration for quality, reliability and environmental responsibility.
- We continue to work with local partners and support initiatives that improve the environmental quality of our surrounding area.
Digital Communications
- Accounting invoices are delivered electronically.
- Internal communications are conducted digitally wherever possible.
- Digital proofing is used to reduce unnecessary printed samples and paperwork.
Community Impact
- We actively support local environmental projects that deliver benefits to our community.
- We are improving green spaces around our premises for the benefit of staff, visitors and local wildlife.
- We aim to make practical sustainability improvements that can be maintained over the long term.
Our Sustainability Principles
```We are committed to:
- Meeting, and wherever possible exceeding, all relevant environmental legislation and best-practice standards.
- Placing sustainability considerations at the centre of our business decisions.
- Ensuring staff understand and support our Sustainability Policy.
- Minimising environmental impact across manufacturing, office operations, purchasing and logistics.
- Working with suppliers who share our environmental values and encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices.
- Reviewing our policy regularly to ensure continuous improvement.
Accreditations & Reporting
```Printdesigns does not currently hold formal environmental accreditations such as ISO 14001, B Corp or Ecovadis. However, we are committed to practical and measurable environmental improvements, including investment in renewable energy, low-carbon heating, waste reduction, reusable display products, recycled materials and biodiversity enhancement.
We will continue to review our progress and update this page as new initiatives are completed.
This policy was last updated in June 2026.
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