Environmental responsibility has been at the heart of our business for 25 years. We have worked with many of the UK’s leading conservation bodies and believe that creating exceptional content in print and online shouldn’t come at the cost of our planet. That’s why we’ve implemented a range of initiatives to minimise our environmental impact, going far beyond just putting words on paper.
Eliminating plastic waste
Over ten years ago we took a step towards a plastic-free future. We ditched traditional plastic mailing wrappers in favour of eco-friendly alternatives. Initially we embraced compostable wraps made from potato and maize starch, offering a natural breakdown solution. Today most of our titles are mailed in paper wrappers that are 100% recyclable.
This seemingly small change has had a big impact. In just three years we eliminated a staggering 63 tonnes of plastic waste.
Sustainable paper sourcing
The paper we use is a crucial element of creating a sustainable magazine. Here’s how we ensure every page is a responsible choice:
• Forestry with a future: We exclusively use paper with sustainable forestry certification (FSC and PEFC). These guarantee that paper originates from responsibly managed forests. This protects vital habitats for wildlife, safeguards the rights of indigenous communities and promotes biodiversity.
• Thinking locally: High-quality paper is essential, but so is minimising our carbon footprint. That’s why we source paper from European mills located closer to our printers, reducing the emissions associated with transporting paper long distances.
Optimising formats
Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond sourcing. We’ve also taken a critical look at magazine design to further minimise our impact:
• Lighter yet luxurious: We’ve adopted high-bulk, low-grammage paper for magazines. This provides the same feel and readability as heavier paper, but with a significantly reduced weight. This translates to less paper used per magazine, lowering resource consumption.
• Streamlining for efficiency: We’ve conducted a thorough review of our paper portfolio, consolidating the number of paper types and weights used. This reduces unnecessary paper purchases and minimises waste from leftover stock.
Beyond paper
Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond print:
• Net-zero champions: Recognising the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we’re a proud signatory to the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) Action Net Zero Pathway.
• The recycled paper debate: While recycled paper plays an important role in paper and board manufacture, we acknowledge its limitations. Processing and lifespan limitations can sometimes negate its environmental benefits. That’s why we advocate for certified virgin fibres as a viable option for high-quality magazine printing, especially when sourced from responsibly managed forests.
• Mindful cover choices: The magazine cover is a crucial element, but some finishes can hinder recyclability. We encourage eliminating these if at all possible but if they are necessary, we review recyclable or greener alternatives.
Carbon balance
Once you’ve followed all necessary steps to make the carbon footprint of your magazine as small as possible, we offer the opportunity to balance the residual emissions via the World Land Trust. This will take you further toward net zero.
• Reduce the balance: Working with schemes such as those offered by the World Land Trust, you can offset the paper emissions used in the manufacturing process.
• Replace what you use: We can make a real difference when offsetting into forest conservation and investing in the protection of carbon sinks.
At Think we believe our dedication to sustainability serves as an inspiration for the entire publishing industry. Through continuous innovation and education we’re paving the way for a future where creating and reading magazines goes hand in hand with environmental responsibility.
Eight easy actions that you can take today:
- Check your print supplier credentials
- Switch to certified paper that comes from sustainable forestry
- Ditch laminates and other finishes from covers
- Check your print specification to make sure it’s efficient
- Reduce road miles by aligning paper types
- Remove plastics from mailing, moving to paper or starch wrappers
- Carbon-balance paper emissions – contact Think for more information
- Download our sustainability checklist
Feeling inspired? Get in touch with our brilliant new business team today to find out how Think can help supercharge your print magazine.
