Aitken Spence printing first to be LEED (Gold) certified

Industry leader Aitken Spence printing’s state-of-the-art new printing facility was awarded the LEED (Gold) certification recently, making it the first in this Region and the one of the very few of its kind the world to receive the international benchmark for leadership in energy and environmental design.

The 77,000 sq ft new facility spread over 3.4 acres on the outskirts of Colombo, boasts many modern technological and sustainable features.

The facility was awarded LEED-NC: Gold certification under the newly established campus category, by the US Green Building Council. LEED-NC (campus) rating system is based on a 110 point system encompassing all areas of sustainable construction.

Some of the measures which Aitken Spence printing has implemented are: 70% saving on portable water, 22% saving on energy, use of daylight for 100% of all regularly occupied spaces, 90% of construction waste diverted from landfill, 40% of the material used for construction accounted for locally, and many other design and operational measures.

With a heritage spanning over five decades, Aitken Spence is known as an innovative quality printing and packaging solutions provider for prestigious international brands in fast moving consumer goods, tea, confectionary, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and apparel industries locally and globally.

It is also recognised as top quality printer for corporate reports, coffee-table books, magazines and other high-end publications.

“The LEED certification is another groundbreaking milestone for Aitken Spence printing. Over the years, we have been able to offer many innovative solutions to our partners.

Benchmarking our new printing facility on international green building standards, provide our partners with an enhanced environmentally friendly value addition,” Aitken Spence Printing Managing Director Prasanna Karunathilake said.

The LEED for new construction ‘green building rating system’ provides guidance on implementing sustainability for new buildings and third party verification of the level of sustainability achieved.

All LEED rating systems are voluntary, consensus-based national standards for high- performance, sustainable buildings.

The LEED rating systems are a USGBC-sponsored program to encourage building owners to make their buildings sustainable and to maintain and improve sustainable practices over time.

USGBC is the USA’s leading coalition of corporations, builders, universities, government agencies and non-profit organisations working together to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.