Royal Printers is a fourth-generation, family-run commercial print shop rooted in historic New Westminster since 1932. For over ninety years, we’ve served our community with a focus on quality, innovation, and stewardship. Over the years, sustainability has evolved from a supporting value into a driving force behind every decision we make. As the impacts of climate change become more visible, we recognize our responsibility to our customers, employees, and future generations—to reduce our environmental footprint and lead by example.
The Commitment
In 2025, we joined Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge alongside over 300 mission-driven organizations nationwide. As a leading commercial printer, our pledge is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 for our Scope 1, 2, and two Scope 3 emission categories
Interim Targets
To keep our progress on track, we’ve established two interim milestones:
- By 2035: we plan to reduce our direct (Scope 1 and 2) emissions by 50%, and our indirect (Scope 3) emissions by 85%, relative to our 2018 baseline.
- By 2040: we aim to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 75%, and eliminate our Scope 3 emissions entirely.
Our baseline emissions data, collected since 2018 using Climate Smart, includes natural gas consumption from FortisBC for heating, and electricity consumption with BC Hydro (Scopes 1 and 2), as well as downstream transportation and waste management (Scope 3). Additionally, we plan to broaden our Scope 3 coverage in the coming years to enhance our impact.
Progress to Date
We have taken tangible steps toward these goals over the past several years. For example:
- We replaced over 300 fluorescent bulbs with 83 high-efficiency LED fixtures equipped with motion sensors, significantly reducing our lighting demand.
- Our waste diversion efforts have resulted in nearly 70% reduction in landfill waste since 2018, including a unique partnership with Blue Planet that repurposed over 82,000lbs of label matrix waste into concrete additive in 2024.
- By carefully selecting logistics partners that align with our values, we’ve been able to reduce our emissions from downstream transportation by almost 69%, with zero-emission local deliveries now a standard.
Where We’re Heading
Looking ahead, our greatest challenge remains reducing emissions from natural gas heating in our aging facility. We anticipate that planned upgrades to our HVAC in 2026 will yield significant emissions reductions. Additionally, we plan to:
- Complete the upgrade of all remaining fluorescent lighting to energy-efficient LED fixtures.
- Conduct a comprehensive waste audit to identify additional materials for diversion and improve overall waste management.
- Continue refining logistics strategies and consolidating orders and shipments when possible.
- Install electrical meters on panels to monitor energy usage in real-time and identify opportunities for increased efficiency.
Final Thoughts
We understand that achieving net-zero is a complex and ongoing endeavor. It requires transparency, accountability, and a willingness to innovate. By balancing respect for our 90+ year legacy with a commitment to sustainable printing, we aim to build a resilient future for generations to come.
We invite our clients, suppliers, and community to join us in this effort. Together, we can reduce environmental impact and create real change. If you’re looking for a trusted partner in eco-friendly commercial printing, contact Royal Printers today to learn more about our sustainability initiatives.
