Carbon Capture: How Printing Can Help Support UK Woodland
When it comes to sustainability, some of the things we’re most proud of at Dynamic Print actually started long before I bought the business. One of those is Carbon Capture. I spent more than 30 years selling paper before I bought Dynamic Print in 2018, including working with Premier Paper. When Premier launched its Carbon Capture initiative, I really liked the idea. I was actually the first Premier salesperson to get 10 printers signed up to Carbon Capture, which I was pretty pleased about! At the time, I thought it was a really simple idea. Printers were already buying paper, so why not make a contribution towards dealing with some of the carbon associated with that paper? Looking at what the scheme has achieved since, I’m even more pleased that I helped get printers involved.
So, what is Carbon Capture?
Carbon Capture is an initiative designed to help address the carbon associated with the paper we use. The carbon associated with the manufacture and distribution of paper is calculated, and a contribution is made through the programme to support woodland creation through the Woodland Trust. For printers, it provides a practical way of making a positive environmental contribution as part of their normal paper purchasing. And that’s what appealed to me from the start. We were already buying paper. Why not make a better choice while doing it?
The numbers really do add up
This is the part I find particularly encouraging. The Carbon Capture programme has contributed £2.37 million, helping to capture an estimated 132,850 tonnes of CO₂ and supporting the planting of 571,060 trees. When you look at those figures, you can see what happens when lots of businesses get involved.
£2.37 million.
132,850 tonnes of CO₂.
571,060 trees.
That’s quite an achievement. One printer on their own isn’t going to change the world. But get lots of printers involved and those small contributions really start to add up.
Supporting the Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, protecting and caring for more than 1,000 sites across the UK. Its work includes protecting ancient woodland, restoring damaged woodland and creating new native trees and woods for people and wildlife. In 2024/25, the Woodland Trust created 2,548 hectares of new woodland, while its existing estate stores around 8.4 million tonnes of CO₂e. I particularly like the fact that Carbon Capture supports woodland here in the UK. It’s not just a figure on a spreadsheet. It’s trees growing in the ground.
What does Carbon Capture mean for your print job?
When you choose Carbon Capture, the paper used for your print project is included within the programme, with the associated carbon calculated and a contribution made towards woodland creation. So whether you’re printing business cards, brochures, stationery, wedding invitations, certificates or something more specialist, there are ways to make a more environmentally conscious choice. We’re not going to pretend that printing has no environmental impact – it does. What we can do is make better choices wherever we can.
Paper can be part of the solution
Paper is a renewable material when it comes from responsibly managed sources, and it can also be recycled. For us, it’s about understanding the paper we’re using, choosing the right stock for the job and thinking about what happens to it afterwards. That’s also why we’ve become so interested in unusual and sustainable papers at Dynamic Print. We work with a range of environmentally conscious stocks, including papers made using coffee husks, cotton, seaweed, agricultural waste and denim fibres, as well as seeded paper that can be planted after use.
A personal connection
I was selling paper when Carbon Capture was launched, so I’ve been involved with the idea from the very beginning. Getting my first ten printers signed up was something I was genuinely proud of. At the time, I don’t think any of us could have imagined the numbers the scheme would eventually reach. Looking at £2.37 million contributed, 132,850 tonnes of CO₂ and 571,060 trees, I’m particularly pleased that I played a small part in getting printers behind the idea. I think that’s the great thing about it. One printer might not make a huge difference, but get lots of printers involved and suddenly those small contributions really start to add up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carbon Capture the same as carbon offsetting?
Not exactly. Carbon Capture relates specifically to the carbon associated with paper purchased through the programme, with contributions supporting woodland creation.
Does Carbon Capture make my printing carbon neutral?
No. It doesn’t mean a print job has zero carbon emissions. It is a way of making a contribution towards addressing the carbon associated with the paper used.
Where does the contribution go?
The programme supports woodland creation through the Woodland Trust, helping to create and protect valuable UK woodland.
Can I use Carbon Capture for my print project?
It depends on the paper and the particular project, but we’re happy to talk through the options when quoting for your printing.
Sustainable printing in Norwich and Norfolk
At Dynamic Print, we’re always happy to talk about ways of making a print project more environmentally conscious. From Carbon Capture and sustainable papers to seeded paper, recycled stocks and alternative fibre papers, there are plenty of options to consider. You don’t have to change everything overnight. Sometimes, one better choice is a good place to start. If you’d like to talk to us about Carbon Capture or sustainable printing, get in touch with Dynamic Print.
