September 16th 2024
Q&A: Gate 7’s Commitment to Sustainability
At Gate 7, we’re always looking for ways to improve our sustainability and continually evaluate and improve our processes. As part of this journey, we’ve made considerable strides in upgrading our equipment and reducing our environmental impact. Our Managing Director, Harry Wickham, looks at some of the key changes we’ve been making.
At Gate 7, we’re always looking for ways to improve our sustainability and continually evaluate and improve our processes. As part of this journey, we’ve made considerable strides in upgrading our equipment and reducing our environmental impact. Our Managing Director, Harry Wickham, looks at some of the key changes we’ve been making.
Q: What sparked Gate 7’s focus on becoming more sustainable?
A: Sustainability has always been important to us, but over the last few years, we’ve really ramped up our efforts. We started noticing more opportunities to make a positive impact, whether by upgrading our equipment, reducing harmful materials, or even changing how we power and operate our facilities. It’s not just about keeping up with industry trends; it’s about doing what’s right for the environment and our community. That commitment has led us to make some significant changes, which we’re excited to share with you.
Q: You mentioned reducing solvents in your printing process, how are you planning to do this?
A: In the digital printing space, although solvent inks have traditionally been used, recent advancements have allowed us to explore UV, latex, and gel inks. In addition to using latex-based inks, which have zero Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), we’ve been running our screen print process with UV inks, which are solvent-free. In the UK, we’ve introduced UV and latex inks to replace solvents, and we’re currently trialling gel ink at our US site. These efforts are part of our broader strategy to reduce solvent ink usage in our digital processes.
Q: Have you upgraded any of your machines to be more energy-efficient?
A: Yes, we have! Our old screen print drying machines were from the late 90s and weren’t very energy efficient. We decided it was time for an upgrade, so we’ve replaced one of them with a new, low-energy model. We’re currently testing it to make sure it performs well and doesn’t compromise on the high-quality results our customers expect from us. Once we’re satisfied, we’ll go ahead and replace the rest of our machinery.
Q: Can you share an update on what you’re doing to improve the carbon footprint of your buildings?
A: We’re excited to share that the solar panels at our Gateshead site became fully operational on July 29, 2024. This marks a significant step forward in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.
Q: What kinds of sustainability efforts are your customers interested in?
A: A lot of our clients have rolled out detailed Supplier Codes of Conduct as part of their Responsible Sourcing initiatives. These guidelines set clear expectations for us and other suppliers when it comes to social responsibility. They’re really helpful in making sure our sustainability goals match up with what our customers are looking for. It’s all part of our ongoing conversations about what they need and expect from Gate 7 as one of their trusted partners.
Q: What goals do you have for the next 6-12 months in your sustainability efforts?
A: At the moment, we don’t have specific new objectives set for the next 6-12 months. However, we are continuously evaluating our processes and equipment to identify opportunities for further improvement. Sustainability remains a key focus for us as we move forward.
Looking for a trusted decal partner? Get in touch with our team here.