OUTPUT

Morwenna Kearns asks Will Tyler, chief executive of Brentford-based graphics and signage company Octink, to back up his business's green claims.

What makes you define yourselves as green?

For the last three years we have been named on The Sunday Times Best Green Companies list, which provides a third-party endorsement of our green credentials. We are also a member of the Mayor of London's Green500 scheme, which seeks to reduce CO2 emissions in the capital, and we achieved the environmental management standard ISO 14001, in 2009. More importantly, being green is at the heart of our values and permeates the whole company.

How do you weigh up environmental concerns against price?

We always make a business case for environmental investment, although some cases are easier to justify on price than others. For example, we recently invested in a new heating system for our offices and factory. The initial outlay was high, but in the first six months we achieved energy savings in excess of 40 percent compared with the same period last year. We constantly review our vehicle fleet and hope, in time, to use more environmentally friendly vehicles. Although biofuel and electric-powered vehicles may well be the future, the price and reliability of this technology does not currently fit our business needs.

How has Octink proven its end-to-end green practices?

We were one of the first companies in the UK to introduce, in 2009, a complete recycling process, known as R3 – Recover, Recycle, Reuse. Our ultimate aim is to provide our customers with a closed-loop recycling option. For three years running the Royal Horticultural Society has used this service at the Chelsea Flower Show and recycled 97 percent (audited) of signage and display items. Any new items required for the show must be made of at least 80 percent recycled material. This is an integral part of the RHS's wider recycling programme.

How does transport feature in Octink's business approach?

Our fleet comprises 16 installation vehicles which clock up many thousands of miles each year making deliveries to our customers in the UK. Although price and reliability is a barrier to using a 'greener' fleet, we use tracking and vehicle analysis systems to plan routes efficiently and educate our drivers in energy-saving driving. We try to set an example from the top; our managing director, Mike Freely, drives a hybrid BMW and I commute to work on an electric scooter! We also reward staff who take public transport or car-share.

How do you think the industry as a whole could improve its environmental reputation?

It is significant that we are currently the only company in this sector to win a place on The Sunday Times Green List. The events industry generates a vast amount of waste from signage and graphics, and I believe this would be the ideal sector to demonstrate genuine commitment to the environment and improve the way we are perceived by the outside world.