Green campaigner Jonathon Porritt has praised a Sussex printing firm for its environmental performance.

Mr Porritt, who chairs the UK Sustainability Development Commission, said Uckfield-based Beacon Press was an inspiration to any small company seeking to get on top of its environmental responsibilities.

In a forward to its latest environment report published this week, Mr Porritt said two things mattered for a small company intent on reducing its environmental impact - an awareness of the business case for doing it coupled with consistent commitment.

He said: "Beacon Press scores highly on both counts."

Beacon chairman Mark Fairbrass said the company was determined to minimise, and eventually eradicate, its potential for harming the environment.

Among the successes were a 95 per cent reduction in the amount of chemicals used in the printing process, a 57 per cent drop in water consumption and the recycling of 90 per cent of the firm's dry waste.

The entire pressroom has been converted to water and alcohol-free printing and the company has virtually eliminated all chemicals from its pre-press operations.

Mr Fairbrass said: "Incorporating environmental best practice into business is not easy.

"We are pleased with our success but we have had some failures. These we will attack with new vigour knowing the relentless pressure towards environmental excellence never stops.

"We have spent the past 12 years improving the performance of our company and we are proud of the results we have achieved.

"Our aim continues to be the creation of a model of environmental best practice within our industry; establishing a centre of excellence by taking a lead in converting good intentions into comprehensive practical action."

Beacon, now one of the greenest companies in the country, has earned 20 national and international awards for its environmental management system.

It was the first UK printer to gain certification to the Forest Stewardship Council and become the world's first carbon- neutral printer in a scheme run by Future Forests aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

Praise has come from Klaus Topfer, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme.

He said: "Beacon has built on the foundation stones of well-constructed policy and systems, improved resource management and technological innovation into its daily operations and has demonstrated awareness of its role as a global corporate citizen in the environmental challenge we all face."