Time to step up climate action.
In a recent interview with Print IT Reseller edition 116 under the title “Time to step up climate action.” Mick Bailey (Chairman) was asked his views on carbon offsetting. Here’s what was said:
PrintIT Reseller: Does carbon offsetting do more harm than good? Are carbon reduction strategies a more effective means of achieving targets to reduce GHG emissions and what are you doing in this area?
Michael Bailey, Chairman, EBM Managed Services: Offsetting carbon emissions is an effective strategy for mitigating our environmental impact. By either reducing emissions or sequestering CO2, alongside initiatives like tree planting and providing eco-friendly resources to communities, particularly in developing nations.
Recently, we’ve opted to endorse a diverse array of verified carbon reduction projects globally. While carbon offsetting is beneficial, it isn’t a comprehensive solution. Ideally, in
a perfect world, all carbon emissions would be minimised to zero or
near-zero at the source. Within our industry, achieving this goal entails adopting practices such as sourcing zero-carbon electricity, transitioning to electric vehicles, promoting carbon neutral manufacturing processes, and implementing sustainable packaging, among others.
PrintIT Reseller: Have you changed your offering in favour of supporting the circular economy and reducing the carbon cost of acquiring printing devices? Think favouring remanufactured devices and/or those which contain recycled content, or products designed to be in use for longer with extended warranties etc.?
Michael Bailey: Since 2018, EBM has been actively reducing its carbon footprint. Becoming carbon neutral was our first major step in sustainability.
A goal which we successfully achieved a while ago. In this process of becoming more sustainable our thoughts naturally passed over to the supply chain and the suppliers involved. We reviewed each supplier to see the ethos behind the business and if it existed or if it was corporate box ticking. The outcome was prioritising partnerships with manufacturers such as Epson and Kyocera which embraced sustainability at their core and are known for their robust environmental policies.
PrintIT Reseller: It’s been well-documented that customer demand for more sustainable products and services is on the increase. How are your OEM/distribution partners helping you to differentiate with sustainable products, solutions and services, and could they do more?
Michael Bailey: Building on the milestone of the business becoming carbon neutral, we sought ways to extend our environmental impact reduction efforts to our customers by introducing ‘carbon neutral printing with EBM’.
This initiative was inaugurated with the introduction of ethical disposal and recycling options for used inks, toners, and consumable parts. Additionally, we offer to offset any carbon emissions generated by devices under our service plans.
PrintIT Reseller: It’s been well-documented that customer demand for more sustainable products and services is on the increase. How are your OEM/distribution partners helping you to differentiate with sustainable products, solutions and services, and could they do more?
Michael Bailey: We believe that everyone involved can and should do more to improve sustainability. Whether this be the product itself or shipping and distribution involved. Being a reseller we are at a disadvantage of not manufacturing our own products. Therefore, limited to what’s possible in our own realms. Whilst being realistic to what we can do and should do, and what have limited control over. Through our own choice just like consumers, we have chosen to prioritise collaboration with manufacturers who themselves prioritise environmental sustainability in both their operations and the products they offer. While these manufacturers consistently endeavour to enhance their products, it is imperative for all of us to play our role in reducing our carbon footprint. Could they do more? Certainly. And likewise, each of us can strive to do more as well.