Material and energy efficiency are focal points in printing and distribution

 
The continuous improvement of material and energy efficiency is emphasised in printing operations as well as other Alma Media properties. A printing facility's material efficiency can be measured as a percentage of material loss, also known as the maculature percentage. Alma Media has already taken many steps to improve material efficiency at its existing printing facility in Tampere, with the maculature percentage decreasing by 16% from 2007. In the future, material loss is expected to be 30% lower with the new printing press.
 
Once completed, the new printing facility in Tampere and office building in Helsinki will significantly improve the energy efficiency of Alma Media's properties. For instance, the printing facility in Tampere will have a heat recovery system that captures 80% of exhaust air. The production efficiency of the new printing press will also be improved, with the energy consumption per one hour of production declining by over 15 per cent.
 
The new printing facility in Tampere will also decrease water consumption and the use of solvent based detergents while improving material efficiency. Total water consumption in a printing facility is relatively low; a total of approximately six grams of water is required to produce one copy of a newspaper. The majority of this amount of water is tied to the newspaper itself; the printing process increases the moisture percentage of the paper from 9% to approximately 12%. Another key aspect of material efficiency is the recovery of waste: almost all waste created by the printing facility is used as a raw material by another business. For instance, the Tampere printing press produces as little as 100kg of disposable waste per year, which represents a mere 0.005 per mille of total material use. The figure does not include mixed waste taken to landfill sites.
 
The environmental impact of distribution can be minimised by continuously optimising delivery routes. A major part of delivery routes are served by bicycle and on foot. For instance, in Pirkanmaa some 60% of all delivery routes are bicycle routes. The total distance travelled by car per one copy of Aamulehti is approximately 70 metres. Delivery personnel using cars are provided with training on economical driving techniques.