A sustainable print revolution
The Sustainable Printworks was founded in 2021 by Alex Lister.
For over a decade, Alex worked in political communications until eventually coming to the realisation that it’s possible to make a positive change in the world much closer to home. With a huge amount of experience in design and print-buying, he hopped the fence into the far less adversarial world of sustainable printing.
Alex founded the company with a vision to make sustainable printing accessible and affordable. Driven by a passion for environmental responsibility, the mission was to examine every stage of the print process and see how things could be done more sustainably. The result was an entirely new business model that for the first time meant UK print buyers could buy sustainably without paying more.
2024 saw the opening of a custom-built studio in Canterbury. Even the construction of the studio was done sustainably by using recycled concrete, sustainably sourced timber, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting.
Joining forces
In April 2024, Shaun Egglesden joined the team as Production Manager. With over 30 years of experience in the printing industry, including running the print and mail department for Canterbury City Council, Shaun has helped the Sustainable Printworks grow and develop even faster.
In just a few short years The Sustainable Printworks has expanded rapidly. The company now offers a wide range of sustainable merchandise alongside its wide-format and traditional paper-based products.
Printing differently
The Sustainable Printworks is committed to redefining the printing industry. We believe that printing can be done differently – without compromising quality or affordability. By focusing on sustainable practices and innovative techniques, we're making it easy for businesses and individuals to choose eco-friendly printing options.
Why choose The Sustainable Printworks?
When you choose The Sustainable Printworks, you're not just getting high-quality printing; you're also supporting a company that is committed to making a positive impact on the planet. Our sustainable practices include:
- Using only recycled and sustainably-sourced materials: All our paper stocks are FSC or PEFC certified, our banners are all recyclable, and our clothing is organic – in fact a lot of it is actually made from recycled plastic bottles!
- Reducing waste: We minimize our waste output through efficient production processes. All our printing waste (toner cartridges, waste toner, off-cuts etc.) are all recycled.
We even offer a banner recycling scheme so old banners can be returned to us free of charge in return for money off the next order. - Conserving energy: Our solar panels and energy-efficient equipment help us reduce our carbon footprint. Over the next 12 months we plan to upgrade our solar panel array and add storage batteries.
- Carbon neutrality: We recognise that everything we do from turning on the lights to delivering orders to customers has a carbon impact. There are things you can’t get away from. However, to balance the negative impact of these things, we offset our carbon use by planting trees and sponsoring environmental projects at home and abroad. That’s why if you buy from us, you can be sure your purchase is carbon neutral.