We consider and discuss the following choices to create environmentally friendly design with our clients:

The type of communication: is print the best way of delivering your message? We rethink features and functions to use less materials and less energy and ensure no unnecessary components in designs.
The most efficient paper size for your project: we explore formats with the printers to reduce paper wastage.
Print-run quantities: we ask you to assess carefully, as there are obvious environmental benefits to producing only the number of copies you need.
Physical size: we also consider stock weight, print storage and mailing sizes.
Supplier selection: we partner with capable and responsible suppliers who share a commitment to ‘beyond compliance’ environmental management – for example, printers who have Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation and are ISO14001-certified.
Paper sources: we recommend and advise paper stocks that are independently certified as being sustainably harvested.
Independent accreditation: we recommend Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which is recognised by many environmental groups and some companies as being the most stringent standard. To produce an FSC-certified product, production must have passed through the FSC ‘chain of custody’, from the FSC-certified forest to a paper manufacturer, a merchant, and finally a printer, all with FSC chain-of-custody certification.
Reducing use of paper and other resources: we have streamlined workflow with the use of PDFs for client drafts at as many steps as possible, virtually eliminating the need for couriers, faxing of proofs and use of CDs and DVDs.
Reducing wastage: our attention to quality control minimises the risk of errors and reprints.
Spreading the word: we encourage our clients to inform their audiences of the environmental initiatives being taken by including this information on publications and using the FSC logo as an environmental claim.

Committed to greener grassroots

Being friends with the environment is like any other relationship – it takes ongoing work to make it worthwhile. At WellmarkPerspexa, we are dedicated to long-term improvements in the environmental sustainability of our office. Together with our sister company, Beaton, we are active members of the 'Grow Me the Money' program, an initiative of EPA Victoria and VECCI that helps Victorian businesses minimise their environmental impact. GMTM Bronze Club logo Through this program, we are monitoring our resource use and waste production, and making practical changes to reduce them. To find out more, go to www.growmethemoney.com.au.

Sustainable business

Local and global

Like many worthwhile things, our sustainability philosophy begins at home. We believe that the mix of backgrounds, viewpoints and experience in the WellmarkPerspexa team is one of our greatest assets. We also recognise that exceptional people often have to balance personal, family, professional and educational priorities, and we believe that supporting this balance benefits us all.

It’s good business in every sense.

Beyond the office walls, we think seriously about our place in the community. Each year, we undertake a pro bono communications project in order to spend some time helping a non-profit organisation. This has seen us working with Extended Families Australia, International Social Service, Resilient Families and Infoxchange Australia. We have also set up a web forum exploring business sustainability in its broadest sense – from managing the personal and professional needs of employees, to leading a profitable business, to protecting the health of the planet. New topics are posted monthly for public debate and comment. Click here to visit the forum.

Zooming out further, we try to be mindful of our impact on the environment every day in our big and small choices. For several of us, that included cycling to work even before petrol prices went up. (When you meet us, try to guess who the riders are.)

What about our work?

A practical approach to sustainability in design

Design choices at the start of a creative communication project can determine its environmental impact.

At WellmarkPerspexa, we keep this in mind as we partner with our clients to devise communication strategies.

Sustainability is an evolving concept; new benchmarks and standards continue to emerge. We take a ‘beyond compliance’ approach in which we seek to stay informed with new developments and to embrace initiatives long before they become standard requirements.

Designing sustainability into every project

We believe that sustainable design thinking is the key to the future of print. Sustainable design looks at how to make best use of materials to reduce energy consumption, pollution and waste. This may be done by using less paper, less ink and less chemical processing – which all help to reduce financial and environmental costs.

Back to bonus features