During 2002, Reed Business completed the implementation of Computer to Plate (CTP) processes with all major printers, replacing a primarily photographic process. CTP speeds up the process of finalisation prior to printing, whilst at the same time significantly reducing the overall amount of waste, particularly paper waste. It is difficult to measure fully the waste reductions, but there is potential to reduce waste by 5%. In addition, the entirely digital process achieves further environmental benefits by eliminating a previously required intermediate chemical processing stage. The reduction in lead-in runs prior to print improves the plant utilisation of our contract printers and reduces paper wastage thereby reducing paper transportation requirements and printing process energy consumption.

In 2002, employee concern over the environmental impact of Styrofoam cups from the Harcourt offices in Orlando, lead to their replacement with paper cups, despite Styrofoam being the cheaper option. Around 115,000 cups of various sizes are used annually in the Orlando office.

One initiative has lead to a reduction in the weight of the polythene used to wrap magazines. By reducing the weight of polythene packaging used to wrap A4 and A3 publications by 2 and 4 grams respectively, has lead to both packaging reductions and distribution cost savings of £100,000.

Legislation requires UK businesses to monitor and reduce packaging waste. Reed Elsevier complies with this legislation through membership of the Biffpack compliance scheme. The data presented below, supplied by Biffpack, shows the volume of packaging waste on which our obligations to recycle are calculated and the 2001 figures are restated on this basis.