Ast calls on the industry to adopt sustainable waste processing

Ast, the UK’s only carbon neutral transport branding company, has announced that it has found there is now a sustainable way to process all types of used backing paper.

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The innovative firm is keen to share it and encourage everyone in the print industry to adopt it. 

For many years, the processing of used silicone backing paper in particular has been an industry-wide problem – there just wasn’t a genuinely sustainable way to process it. The team at Ast put years into trying to find a solution – engaging multiple recycling organisations and paper manufacturers – but it remained an ongoing problem.

But now, Ast, which has bases in Cumbria and Warrington and offers a nationwide service, has found there’s a solution and it is one that’s accessible to other firms in the print industry. Ast has joined FESPA UK gained its waste accreditation certificate for its waste processing standards and further to this it is now involved in FESPA UK’s Waste Management Project. 

As part of this, Ast has worked with FESPA UK and its chosen waste management provider Reconomy to evaluate all its waste processing systems and make them more sustainable. The processing of used silicone backing paper has been included in this and Jon Hutton from FESPA UK helped Ast implement a multi-stage system to do this sustainably.

The system includes delivery to a wastepaper Transfer Station Facility for preparation to be accepted by a paper mill, the card core being separated from the silicone paper through guillotining, the silicone paper being blended with other grades of paper, shredded, and made into mill size bales for use by a paper mill, the silicone being removed through a chemical process, and the remaining fibre being re-pulped, meaning all materials are either repurposed or recycled in a way that’s genuinely sustainable.

Mark Aston, Managing Director of Ast Signs Ltd said:

“If you’re in the industry and keen to work as sustainably as possible we highly recommend that you get involved in FESPA UK’s Waste Management Project – they can help assess all your waste processing and make it sustainable. 

“Processing used backing paper in a way that’s truly sustainable has been an ongoing problem in the industry for years, so we’re really keen to share the changes we’ve made and lead and encourage positive change within the print industry.”

Suzi Ward, Managing Director of FESPA UK said:

“”We are excited to welcome Ast as part of our waste accreditation program and as a new member of the association. We value proactive businesses that are eager to share their experiences and support others in the industry. We look forward to their involvement in the development of the waste accreditation project, as well as their participation in other key initiatives such as the Next Generation Initiative and our Sustainability Summit.”

Jon Hutton, Business Development Executive of FESPA UK said:

“It is great to be working with such a proactive team. Ast listened to all our recommendations, and we have already initiated recycling self-adhesive vinyls and are expanding services throughout the business.”