10 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink ENVIRONMENT | NEWS FESPA UK reveals results of latest waste management schemes FESPA UK, an association for the UK’s print, signage, and graphics community, has revealed the latest results of its waste management and accreditation schemes, with the organisation vowing to further increase its efforts to safely recycle waste within the sector. FESPA UK has undertaken a range of steps to help safely process hard-to-recycle materials including silicone backing papers, self-adhesive PVC, and composite boards. After four years of developing its waste accreditation scheme, in March FESPA UK became a licensed waste carrier, which it positions as an important step forward in strengthening the support it provides to its accredited members. This step allows FESPA UK to have greater control over the waste management process, with the goal of providing a more responsive, connected, and streamlined waste processing service. Earlier this year, waste management service Reconomy made the decision to withdraw its services from the specialised graphics and wide-format print sector. Rather than seeing this as a setback, FESPA UK saw this as an opportunity to further evolve its accreditation scheme and build new partnerships. One of these new partnerships now offers accredited members a wide range of waste services including general waste, hazardous waste, dry mixed recycling, and other waste streams. The partner also provides businesses with access to an online portal to track and manage their waste, alongside a dedicated support team for FESPA UK accredited members. FESPA UK has also begun to take a more direct role in managing graphics waste, including working more closely with transport companies and recyclers, with the aim of securing the best pricing and service for its members. The association has reportedly developed or strengthened relationships with twelve separate recyclers and transport companies in recent months. As part of the scheme, FESPA UK has now organised 50 collection services for accredited businesses. It also offers a recycling scheme for a growing list of materials including selfadhesive vinyl face materials, silicone backing paper, lamination rolls, Foamboard, Correx, Akyboard, polyester banner and polyester fabrics, ACM, and acrylic. This support includes multiple weekly and fortnightly wheelie bin collections for backing papers for its members. Its support now also extends to the labels and foil sectors through the additional services it can now offer. Speaking about its waste management efforts, FESPA UK director, Jon Hutton, says: “The visual display, signage, and largeformat sectors of the print industry are particularly under the sustainability spotlight from brands, so accountable and responsible waste management has become non-negotiable. “Noticeably, the Accreditation is now being recognised up and down the supply chain as the industry-standard signpost to verify a business’s commitment to responsible waste management.” FESPA UK managing director, Suzi Ward, says: “From the moment I first envisioned this project and then had the good fortune to meet Jon, whose knowledge, passion, and expertise helped turn that vision into reality, it has always been about providing our members with something that genuinely makes a difference to their businesses and to the wider industry. “It was never about recognition or financial gain. It was about creating an opportunity for members to gain a competitive advantage while doing the right thing for the environment and the future of our sector. I couldn’t be prouder of how the accreditation has grown, evolved, and expanded its reach over the years. What started as an idea has become something that is delivering real value across the industry.” FESPA UK has vowed to take further steps to shape the programme around the needs of its accredited members, expanding the support and services it offers and helping as many businesses as possible improve the way they manage their waste. Ward adds: “The foundation has been built; now it’s time to build on that success and deliver even greater value to the community we serve.” By Jonathan Pert FESPA UK offers an industry-recognised recycling scheme for a growing list of hard-to-recycle materials
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