Environmental Credentials
Sustainability & the environment
Watershed Packaging is dedicated to sustainability and minimising our environmental impact in the print industry. We specialise in producing flexible packaging solutions, including shrink sleeves, die-cut lids, labels, and printed tape, while also offering end-of-line packaging machinery.
Our commitment to environmental responsibility is reflected in every aspect of our operations, from our energy-efficient HQ in Leeds, to our waste reduction strategies. We’ve built a culture of sustainability, not just within our team, but throughout our entire supply chain, ensuring that both our practices and products are aligned with eco-friendly principles. We also believe in empowering our workforce and supporting the broader community, as we know that a thriving and responsible business starts from within.
Our Environmental Credentials
In 2018, we were awarded a Zero Labels 2 Landfill certification and a Zero Foil 2 Landfill certification. This Scheme is run by Prismm Environmental Limited and is sponsored by the British Printing Industry Federation (BPIF). It guarantees that absolutely none of our Label waste or Foil/ Metalized Polyester waste will be taken to landfill. This year we have kept this certification which shows we care about the sustainable aspects of our business.
Label Printing companies like ourselves, who have already achieved the certification, diverted 5,925 tonnes of Label waste from landfill in 2015. The aluminium Die-Cut Lids that we produce are all fully recyclable and we ensure that every lid produced is managed responsibly after use and recycled rather than sent to landfill.
Sustainability is at the forefront of our design of our end of line Packaging Machinery, with energy saving and safety a priority and passion. All our machines are built with non-toxic components.
A brighter future, powered by Watershed
At Watershed, we don’t just talk about sustainability — we install it. Our Leeds site is now home to 763 solar panels, forming a 328kW solar array that’s helping power our production with clean, renewable energy.
This system will generate more than 250,000 kWh of renewable energy every year, reducing our annual carbon emissions by around 58 tonnes. That’s the equivalent of planting over 2,600 trees, and a huge step forward in our long-term mission to make packaging more sustainable from the inside out.
More than just a rooftop upgrade, this project represents the way we think at Watershed: proactive, responsible, and always looking ahead. With smart monitoring and long-term performance guarantees in place, our new solar setup isn’t just saving energy — it’s setting the standard for what modern manufacturing can look like.
Our Building & Site Environmental Measures
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Our state of the art headquarters in Leeds is extremely energy efficient, We use primarily LED lighting where possible and in our office spaces. 100% of the Electricity supply at Watershed Packaging now runs on renewably sourced energy and we have a Guarantee of Origin (GoO) certificate to prove it.
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we recycle paper printer waste and all our printer ink cartridges. We encourage our staff to bring in their own ink cartridge waste from home to recycle at work.
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We take great pride in our surroundings and we've taken huge steps to improve the health and safety of our sites. We have many procedures in place to help keep our employees safe and Happy.
We store surface water in a huge underground tank to prevent our nearby river from flooding.
All oil leakage from cars and transport vehicles is collated into a central separator underneath our site which prevents it from reaching fresh water.
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Throughout our building we recycle air to ensure our employees are receiving a high quality air supply despite being indoors.
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We also take part in CycleScheme whereby our employees are given funding towards a bicycle of their choice, to encourage an active method of transport to get to and from work, to not only reduce car emissions but also to promote fitness and wellbeing.
