Environmental & Sustainability Policy

Print Clan are committed to having the lowest possible impact on the environment, and strive to create a sustainable, ethically-focussed business model. We acknowledge our responsibility for mitigating climate change and are working towards a goal of net zero by 2045. Our environmental sustainability plan focuses on reuse, recycling and zero waste across our studio and workshops. 

Printing Processes

  • FF Binder is our most used and most affordable binder, which we use in courses and sell to members. FF is a solvent free, water-based textile printing medium. 

  • We use Magnaprint ECO Pigments, which meet several EU and International requirements, including the OK-TEX Standard 100 Criteria.

  • We acknowledge that some of our specialist binders contain toxins, and are looking into replacing them with suitable, non-toxic alternatives.

  • Our paper printing medium and inks are fully water based.

  • We supply screen printing emulsion to our members at minimal profit, to encourage members to use ours instead of purchasing their own and potentially creating waste. 

  • We recommend sustainable, ethical garment options for all customers using our Merchandise Printing Service, and work with UK based wholesalers.

  • We are promoting the use of eco-printing techniques and natural dyes through a dedicated workshop and course programme.

  • We are partnering with community neighbours Greyfriars Biophilic Garden to source waste ingredients for natural dye recipes.

Reuse

  • We use aluminium frame screens and metal handle squeegees which have a longer shelf life than wooden alternatives. All of our screens are re-stretched in Glasgow by a local supplier. 

  • Our backing cloths are made from recycled fabric. We wash and reuse these to make them last as long as possible. We have a cycle of 3 that we have been using since 2018.

  • We order fabric remnants from Contrado for workshops and courses which would otherwise go to waste. 

  • We recycle and reuse all leftover printed fabric and scraps, and keep a stock of these in the studio available for members to use when colour testing, sampling etc. We accept donations of fabric and source larger pieces secondhand whenever possible.

  • All of our main equipment pieces (printing table, exposure unit, heat press, washout booth) were sourced secondhand. We prioritise repairing over purchasing new equipment.

Waste & Recycling

  • We keep any inks leftover by Members and use them on courses and workshops. All of our inks are mixed and kept in recycled pots, which we wash and reuse. 

  • The studio has dry mixed recycling, where we recycle paper towels, all waste paper, and excess cardboard. We store cardboard, bags for life and other packaging materials from orders and deliveries to reuse when sending or transporting goods. We offer paper bags for customers collecting any items sold through our shop.

  • Screen printing inevitably produces a lot of water waste, which we are looking to minimise as much as possible. We have recently invested in a secondhand Goccopro MiScreen printer as an alternative method of creating smaller screens. 

  • We provide towels in both the toilet and the print studio to minimise paper towel usage. These are taken home to be washed by the technicians at regular intervals.

Transport and Location

  • The majority of our team cycle or use public transport to reach the studio, and make local deliveries on foot or by bike.

  • We have a second hand company car for our core team to car-share with. This vehicle meets the requirements set out by Glasgow City Council’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

  • Thanks to the studio’s city centre location, most of our members either cycle or use public transport to reach the studio. We have space to store bikes in the studio entrance.

Heating & Electricity

  • The studio currently has no central heating system, so we use one plug-in oil filled radiator and one heat lamp for drying fabric. These are not used at all through the Summer months.

  • Our electricity provider is Octopus, who supply 100% renewable electricity from solar, wind and hydro sources.

Climate Emergency

  • Advocacy - Our programme supports people to create political messages about the Climate Emergency. Banners, t-shirts, tote bags and hung textiles with messages about political opinions are a primary organising tool for activities spreading messages about the Climate Emergency. 

Future Aims

Following the completion of Print Clan’s Business Plan for 2025-2028, we have identified key objectives to improve on our commitments to environmental sustainability as the organisation continues to grow.

  1. Sustainability: Hire a new part-time Sustainability Coordinator in 2027/8 to review and promote sustainability across our studio and programme.

  2. Merchandise Printing: Reduce the environmental impact of our merchandise printing service by switching to 100% ethical garment suppliers and using the Goccopro MiScreen printer for all eligible jobs by 2025/6. 

  3. Materials: By 2027/8 at least 80% of the dyes used at the studio will be natural instead of synthetic.

  4. Workshops & Courses: Teach environmentally friendly techniques within our workshop and course programme. We will run at least 6 eco-printing or natural dye workshops in 2025/6; 8 in 2026/7 and 12 in 2027/8. We will also write and deliver 2 short courses in 2025/6 and 2026/7, and increase this to 4 in 2027/8.

  5. Net Zero: Continue to review our studio processes and stay abreast of new sustainable technologies in order to reduce our environmental impact, and work towards our goal of Net Zero in 2045.

  6. Waste reduction: Consult with Creative Carbon Scotland and seek funding support to install a water recycling system in our new studio, halving water waste by 2027/8.

  7. Resource sharing: Increase awareness of our equipment loan programme through a dedicated marketing campaign in 2025/6, with the goal of loaning out 10 equipment packages in 2026/7.

  8. Climate Action Plan: As the climate emergency worsens we need to adapt and mitigate related risks. We are developing a climate action plan with Creative Carbon Scotland and using Cultural Adaptations’ toolkit to plan for a changed future.

In addition to these objectives, we are considering the impact of climate change across all of our future operations:

  • Studio

    • In 2026/7 we plan to move into a new studio with the goals of increased space and accessibility: finding a building least at risk from climate change is key. 

    • Our current studio Our current studio ranks G on Energy Performance. We aim to find a new space with a higher energy performance rating with central heating and double glazing.

  • Vehicle

    • Our current company car is a 2011 petrol model which we purchased secondhand in 2022. When it needs replacing we plan to invest in an electric vehicle. Moving premises will reduce the amount of travelling we need to do for external workshops in accessible venues.

  • Equipment

    • We will examine the energy efficiency of future equipment purchases, and continue to repair and buy second hand whenever possible.

  • Membership 

    • We will offer members an additional discount on workshops within our sustainability programme to encourage the wider implementation of eco-friendly printing processes.


This policy was created in November 2020 and will be reviewed twice annually.
Policy last reviewed: April 2024