Auckland company becomes NZ's "first carbon-neutral corporate printer"

Soar had to demonstrate its plans to reduce emissions, set reduction targets, offset emissions it couldn't eliminate and get independent auditing.

The company installed new lighting in its factory, which increased energy efficiency by 40%. It made environmental responsibility part of staff evaluation, and offered them incentives to switch to hybrid cars and more fuel-efficient when driving.

Soar financial director Jenny Carter said it helped that it had ISO 14001 in place already, which meant some of the information was already gathered for auditing.

However, things such as overseas travel, refrigeration, air conditioning "took a while to get", said Carter.

Deploying a Heidelberg Anicolor press (pictured) last year also helped its green credentials, bringing makeready waste down from 400 to around 10 sheets per set-up and saving of 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide and 32 tonnes of paper a year.

The company's next goal is to include some of its products under their CarbonZero certification and is in talks with Landcare Research about what this would involve.

Soar Printing, which has more than 70 staff, set a goal in 2007 to become New Zealand's most environmentally responsible printer.

"We are stewards of the resources we are using, and must think about our responsibility to the next generation," said Carter.

"Being a carbon-neutral certified organisation means we are doing our bit to help reduce climate change."

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