GREEN scene
PRINTERNEWS Brown Goes Green, Helps 'Plant a Billion Trees'
WASECA, MN--Tri-certified Brown Printing (FSC, SFI and PEFC) serves as a strong example of the role a graphic arts company can play through its commitment to the environment, its eco-sensitive customers and its local community.
The magazine and catalog printer's many environmental initiatives include virtual proofing capabilities for all of its presses and building a state-of-the-art co-mailing facility that combines shipments, resulting in fewer trips.
Other measures include reconditioning and reusing printing blankets, refiltering and blending leftover ink into new batches, revamping plant lighting with energy-efficient fixtures and diligently analyzing landfill streams to pull out all recyclable materials.
As an extra eco-benefit, Brown recently made a donation in honor of each client to The Nature Conservancy's "Plant a Billion Trees" campaign. Additionally, as part of its commitment to the local community, the company employs various green activities--from hosting recycling weeks to street cleanups to rewarding employees for car pooling.
Pictured here after planting a tree, from the left, are Sara Heyer, Waseca Water Park; Roy Srp, mayor of Waseca; and Dennis Braunshausen, VP/GM of Brown's Waseca facility. Inset is a Brown Printing "cleanup crew" picking up roadside trash.
Mission in Motion: 'Give Back to the Planet'
CHEVERLY, MD-- As a member of the EPA's Climate Leaders program, MOSAIC has dedicated itself to developing comprehensive climate-change strategies for its printing operation. These include reducing its impact on the environment by completing a corporate-wide inventory of its greenhouse gas emissions based on a quality management system; setting aggressive reduction goals; and annually reporting its progress to the EPA.
"Environmental stewardship informs every aspect of our vision and mission at MOSAIC," says Brendan Connors, co-president. "Because we feel it is our obligation to preserve the ecosystem for future generations, we constantly look for new ways to improve our environmental footprint."
A leader in waterless printing since 1993, MOSAIC has been FSC-certified since 2005 and, on Earth Day 2007, announced that it had achieved carbon-neutral status, based on its investment in 100 percent wind power and reforestation programs undertaken to offset the carbon emissions from its operation.
Its carbon-neutral distinction has earned MOSAIC membership in the EPA's Green Power Leadership Club, wherein member companies are recognized for making exemplary green power choices that significantly exceed minimum requirements. The company recycles 885 tons of paper and uses 65,000 pounds of soy-based ink annually, while a solvent recovery system limits the disposal of spent pressroom chemicals.
As a result of these and other practices, MOSAIC has been designated a "Best Workplace in America" by PIA/GATF for five years running.
Now Certified
The following companies have received chain-of-custody certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and/or Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
Dynacolor Graphics, Miami: FSC and SFI.
Wooster Printing & Litho, Wooster, OH: FSC.
Antares Information Technologies, Hauppauge, NY: FSC.
SunDance Graphics, Orlando, FL: FSC.
Publications printer Consolidated Press, of Seattle, has partnered with paper manufacturer Sappi to change its entire inventory of regularly stocked coated papers to comply with global standards for forest sustainability.
The printer's desire to warehouse FSC-designated stock led company execs to approach Sappi about the viability of manufacturing to FSC standards for the printer's primary inventory. Sappi took on the challenge, and Consolidated Press now has a local warehouse stocked with FSC-certified paper.
Environmental Sensitivity Training
BALTIMORE--Vertis Communications has undertaken a company-wide waste reduction and environmental sensitivity program to become a more responsible partner, community neighbor and corporate citizen. The company announced its major sustainability initiatives this Spring and is seeing some very green results.
More than 25 percent of the newsprint used in the production of inserts and circulars contains recycled fiber. Vertis also recycles more than 70,000 tons of printed and unprinted waste paper annually.
All Vertis facilities have migrated to a CTP printing environment, eliminating the waste of polyester film and processing chemistry. In addition, the company recycles its aluminum printing plates, preventing more than 950 tons of aluminum from entering the waste stream each year.
The company utilizes environmentally friendly inks, has developed a hybrid printing process that requires 30 percent less energy and recycles ink to prevent it from entering the waste stream.
Vertis also installed thermal oxidizers on all of its heatset presses. When burning ink solvents, carbon emissions are created, and these oxidizers "scrub" the air so that it is clean when released back into the environment.
The company operates FSC-certified facilities in North Brunswick, NJ; Monroe Township, NJ; Chalfont, PA; and Bristol, PA.
It purchases exclusively from paper manufacturers that are certified through the FSC or allied organizations.
INDUSTRYNEWS
The Printing & Imaging Association Mountain States (PIAMS) will be hosting its Green Industry Showcase at The Summit Conference and Events Center in Aurora, CO, on November 13. The event will focus on topics including Green Resources, Colorado's Environmental Results Program for Printing and Imaging, becoming a verified PIAMS Green Member, and Best Environmental Practices in Print Buying and Print Production. For more info, visit www.piams.org.
SUPPLIERNEWS
The Joy of Being Tree-Free
CHICAGO--As the demand for environmental integrity grows, GPA has introduced its eco-friendly substrate: Ultra Green. Unlike traditional paper, Ultra Green is manufactured without the use of trees, water or toxic agents including bleaching chemicals.
Different from pulp papers, it has no grain resulting in a smooth surface that promotes high color saturation and resolution. The substrate combines the printability and converting characteristics of paper with the durability of plastic. Ultra Green is also resistant to scuffing, water, grease and oily substances, making it suited for outdoor applications. It is also resistant to UV rays, therefore, it will not yellow or become brittle in the sun.
For more information, samples of Ultra Green or to request copies of GPA's product catalog, visit www.askgpa.com.
