Our approach
Sustainability and social responsibility
In the Netherlands, more than 5.7 million books are discarded each year due to lack of demand. That adds up to billions of unused pages — enough to circle the Earth nine times. This is an enormous waste of resources, energy and CO₂ emissions. It must and can be different. Printforce is proud to be part of that change.
Print-on-demand: sustainable at its core
We produce books to order, without holding stock. This print-on-demand approach prevents waste. The result is significantly lower CO₂ emissions, fewer transport movements and less waste. Our production method is sustainable at its core.
An integrated environmental policy
At Printforce, sustainability is not a separate department or side project. It is embedded in our company policy. This means sustainability is a key factor in every decision — from production processes to mobility, from procurement to energy use.
We work with an environmental management system in line with ISO 14001, aimed at preventing air, water and soil pollution, and reducing noise and waste. All business activities, from purchasing to production and logistics, are set up to minimise environmental impact.
We also hold our suppliers to the same environmental standards. In doing so, we safeguard sustainability across the entire chain.
Some of our concrete measures:
- We only use FSC® or PEFC-certified paper
- All waste and residual materials are recorded and processed in line with European regulations
- We carefully separate waste and recycle wherever possible, including ink and paper
- We use water-based inks and cleaning agents with minimal chemical content
- Our waste compactor reduces the need for waste transport
- We invest as much as possible in electric company vehicles and encourage cycling through a bike scheme
- Our printing facility is located within the CB premises in Culemborg, which reduces transport and increases efficiency
Insight into CO₂ emissions
We believe that sustainability starts with insight. That is why we are actively mapping our carbon footprint. We look not only at our own emissions but also at the full chain: from paper production and transport to packaging materials and energy use.
This process is as automated as possible, so we will soon be able to provide our clients with clear, transparent information about the environmental impact of their orders. Clients can then share this information with their own customers. Together, we bring transparency and shared responsibility to the supply chain.
Fewer transport movements and less waste
Looking ahead: EUDR and ClimateCalc™
We are actively preparing for the introduction of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a new EU law requiring proof that products come from deforestation-free sources. We are already collecting the necessary data and setting up processes to comply.
We are also working on the integration of ClimateCalc, a tool that makes it possible to calculate the exact environmental impact of printed products. Soon, we will be able to offer our customers insight into their CO₂ footprint per product and help reduce it. ClimateCalc is the leading European standard for calculating the carbon footprint of print production and complies with ISO 14064, ISO 14067, ISO 16759 and the GHG Protocol scopes 1, 2 and 3.
Certified and transparent
- ISO 9001: quality management system
- ISO 14001: internationally recognised environmental management system
- FSC® and PEFC-certified: responsible forest management and full traceability of paper
- Member of the Book Chain Project: we adhere to the Supplier Code of Conduct, with a focus on forest management, material use and social conditions throughout the supply chain
- Our ISO 27001 certification is currently in preparation. This standard focuses on information security in the broadest sense. We are committed to ensuring the availability, integrity and confidentiality of information, just as our clients expect from us
Responsible business
Sustainability at Printforce goes beyond the environment. We take our social responsibility seriously too. We ensure good working conditions, both within our organisation and across our supply chain. Social standards, safety and wellbeing are at the heart of our corporate social responsibility policy.
We believe sustainable entrepreneurship only truly has impact when it addresses all aspects: environment, people and society. And that starts with conscious choices. Every single day.
Questions about our sustainability policy?
Or curious to know how we can help reduce the environmental impact of your publication? Don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are happy to think along with you.