23 January 2019

Further sustainability for Pepper Communications

Plymouth based BPIF members, Pepper Communications, have installed 100 kW of solar PV panels on the roof of their Plymouth HQ as part of their continued strive for sustainability, the company have undergone several projects with CleanEarth showing how the print industry is embracing renewable energy generation.

The team are no strangers to sustainability, neither is the sector with most printers tending to be more familiar with environmental responsibility than many businesses, because recycling has been an issue for them for many years. And, as heavy users of electricity, they have also been early adopters of new technologies for energy efficiency and generation including the BPIF's own Climate Change Levy programme which saves the industry around £7m pa.

As Jake Whitford, Pepper's Operations Director said, "We operate a very power hungry manufacturing plant, so our decision to invest in renewable energy will provide us with both significant energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint."

As a family-run business where the four Whitford brothers are directors, the team at Pepper have a long-standing commitment to improving the environment in which they live and work and are previous winners of the BPIF Environmental Printer of the Year award
In addition to their investment in renewables, energy efficiency and waste management, they also encourage their customers to specify vegetable-based inks and papers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

To help convey this message, CleanEarth installed a display in reception, so staff and customers can see the rate of generation from the solar PV, the carbon saving, and the savings on their electricity bills.

In order to strike the optimum balance between sustainability and the company's return on investment, the system was designed to ensure most of the generated electricity is consumed directly on-site.

Dawn Reid, BPIF Regional Director for the area also added, "This further project is great news for the business in terms of their strive to be more sustainable, any inroads which can be made on both billing costs and the CO2 usage is great news."

For more information see: www.pepper.co.uk