Steps printers can take to reduce their carbon footprint

By Tom Kemper

1. Reduce Chemicals and Toxins:

• Buy nontoxic, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) office paints and coatings, and furnish with VOC-free fabrics/materials throughout the facility.

• Use environmentally friendly cleaning products rather than toxic chemicals and solvents.

• Seek sources for organic, locally grown food for the building cafeteria or kitchen.

• Use pavestone as surface material in driveways, approaches, parking lot surfaces and all paved ground surfaces to absorb oil-laden run-off.

2. Sustainability Education:

• Encourage employee involvement in environmental activities, such as joining local sustainability groups.

• Read “The Sustainability Advantage” by Bob Willard, “The Ecology of Commerce” by Paul Hawken and “Mid-Course Correction: Toward a Sustainable Enterprise” by Ray Anderson to better understand the business case for sustainability.

• Monitor the sustainability initiatives of other environmentally responsible companies in the industry.

3. Energy Savings/Energy-Efficiency:

• Create incentives to encourage carpooling and other ride-share programs, as well as the use of hybrid vehicles, bicycles and public transit for getting to work.

• Consider installing ventilating windows in new construction buildings and design offices with natural lighting, using LEED-inspired site planning.

• Consider installing carpeting made from recycled materials.

4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:

• Implement recycling programs.

• Print on both sides of the paper.

• Provide employees easy access to recycling areas.

• Include a compost bin in the office building break room or cafeteria.

• Provide mugs instead of paper or Styrofoam coffee cups.

• Discourage the use of disposable plastic-bottled water and encourage the use of reusable/refillable five-gallon bottles or install water filtration as an alternative.

• Use recycled paper for internal documents, marketing materials and business cards, and buy office supplies made of recycled materials.

5. Water Conservation:

• Install low-volume flush toilets.

• Landscape with native vegetation that’s drought-resistant to use less water.