Verdigris is a not-for-profit project which has gained the support of several leading companies including: Agfa, Canon Europe, drupa, Fujifilm, HP, Ricoh and Screen. The Verdigris goal is to evaluate the carbon footprints of a wide of range media products from the point of file creation via prepress to final output on paper or screen to disposal.
Laurel Brunner, managing director of Digital Dots says, “Verdigris’ aim is to gather and centralise information specifically relevant to the graphic arts industry and relies on sharing data and open dialogue for the education and benefit of everyone involved. Not only will it provide practical advice and objectives for companies who want to start reducing their environmental impact, but also it will enable print buyers, printers and publishers to properly evaluate a variety of media production alternatives and make the best choice for each product.”
By participating in the Verdigris project, magazines can educate the industry as a whole and help to raise print’s positive profile. Content development is independently managed by people who know and understand print technology and are working closely with specialists. Verdigris is the only initiative of its kind to operate globally and in partnership with industry and media.
Brian Moore, associate publisher, New Zealand Printer, says, “New Zealand Printer is the country’s only print magazine because we invest in quality journalism. Our partnership with Verdigris is in line with our strategy of providing New Zealand’s printers with the world’s best graphic arts content. Digital Dots is a leading independent graphic arts research group, and the support it has attracted for the Verdigris project is indicative of the high level of content that it will be providing, which will benefit New Zealand’s printers. We are delighted to have this exclusive content.”
Verdigris article topics include guidelines on what companies can do to improve their environmental credentials and attain ISO 14001. They will address best practices for logistics, facilities, workflow, distribution, energy consumption, recycling and general improvements.
Upcoming Verdigris articles will analyse the issues facing publishers and printers who want to minimise their carbon footprint, while continuing to conduct a profitable business. The environmental impact of a newspaper, a magazine, a package, a direct mail piece and a website will be examined in this context including offset and digital press based production. The first Verdigris Guide will be available in early in 2009.
