Sustainability

By Maggie DeWitt Less is the new more, and this month’s mystery product is particularly apropos of current marketplace conditions. Not only is it lighter than its traditional counterpart, but the product goes beyond its primary function to provide valuable brand reinforcement while advancing eco-friendly initiatives. In addition, it can help distributors of both business printing and promotional products grow sales within various industries, and the product also serves as an excellent self-promotion. Check out the following clues to guess what the product is: • It is printed on FSC- and SFI-certified recycled stock, and is, itself, recyclable. • It is used

It’s wonderful to see more and more companies jumping on the sustainable forestry bandwagon. But, as this relatively new certification comes to bear on industry practices, there are bound to be kinks in the chain-of-custody that need working out. Cary Sherburne, senior editor for Lexington, Kentucky-based WhatTheyThink, reported on a dilemma faced by Alpharetta, Georgia-based Neenah Paper. Her article, Environmental Sustainability: Not Always Easy; Lessons Learned from Neenah Paper FSC Certification Issues, appeared May 13 on the website www.whattheythink.com. Excerpts of the most salient points have been edited for space and are reprinted here with permission. On April 25, Neenah Paper notified customers

Studies conducted by Norwalk, Connecticut-based Xerox show office workers throw away 45 percent of documents within 24 hours of printing them. To reduce an organization’s environmental footprint, Xerox offers five smart paper use tips: • Use both sides of the paper. Choose copiers, digital printers and multifunction devices that allow for duplex printing. • Go digital. Save on postage with electronic files and let recipients decide whether to print them. Replace paper files with electronic ones using the scan-to-file option on multifunction devices. • Be selective. Print what you need when you need it instead of every page of a report. Preview your print

Chicago-based GPA Specialty Substrates Solutions has received the Forest Stewardship Council chain-of-custody certification on a variety of its Ultra Digital coated and uncoated papers. The wood and pulp used in these finished products is traceable to responsibly managed forests, and there are documented controls in place to make sure the integrity of the environment is upheld. For more information, visit www.askgpa.com or call (800) 395-9000.

Overnight Labels, Deer Park, N.Y., recently showcased its line of earth-friendly labeling options at the All Things Organic tradeshow, held in Chicago, April 27-29, at McCormick Place. The line includes: shrink sleeves; neck bands; multi-packs made from 100 percent compostable polylactic acid (PLA), orientated polystyrene or polyethylene terephthalate glycol, which offer better recyclability than PVC; flexible packaging made from PLA; clear and white labels made from PLA; semi-gloss white labels made from 30 percent post-consumer fiber; and tree-free white made from bamboo, bagasse and cotton linters. In addition to green label options, the company is reducing its impact on the environment by limiting

Paris Business Products, Westampton, N.J., has received forestland sustainability chain-of-custody certifications from both the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council. Paris Business Products continues to recycle more than 99 percent of its paper, cardboard and pre-production material waste. And, the company recently installed more energy-efficient lighting which burns longer and brighter throughout its New Jersey-based plant and warehouse. For more information, visit www.pariscorp.com or call (609) 702-5486.

The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP Partnership), Pittsburgh, was established by three founding organizations—Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF), Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and Flexographic Technical Association (FTA)—as an independent third-party verification organization. Its website, www.sgppartnership.org, serves as a central location for information on recognized “green” printers and sustainable printing activities. On March 12, the organization revealed the much anticipated draft criteria on how to become a sustainable, green printer at the National Environmental Health and Safety Conference in Indianapolis (www.nehsconference.org). The criteria will be beta tested during the upcoming months, and necessary modifications will be made prior to the

Creative Automation, Hillside, Ill., will run a reforestation program during the month of June. The company is partnering with American Forests for this program due to its strong commitment to protect, restore and enhance forests throughout the United States and around the world. The program, “Reforestation with Creative Automation,” will apply to all orders placed during the month of June with its Graphics Printing Division. For every $5,000 print production order a customer places, Creative Automation will plant 25 trees through American Forests in the name of that customer. “We feel this is the perfect time to start a program like this,” stated Michael

Cascades Fine Papers Group—a Canadian leader in environmental and security fine papers manufacturing located in Quebec—announced the Rockland line of colored paper now contains up to 100 percent recycled fibre. It is a wise choice for all sorts of applications, such as brochures, annual reports, postings and stationery. Said Normand Lecours, vice president, sales and marketing, “This improvement is a natural step for Cascades. We can do better than the industry standards by manufacturing paper with less impact on the environment. This allows us to reduce even more our environmental footprint and that of our clients. It is with that in mind that

The March 2008 National Environmental Health & Safety Conference, held at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel, reported a significant increase in attendance this year due to growing industry interest in sustainability. Mark DiVito’s keynote presentation, “The State of Sustainability in Graphic Communications,” was based on a survey conducted by Reed Business Information, which identified how different printing stakeholders are addressing green issues. The survey showed that currently, leaders in sustainability also make equipment and consumable purchases with sustainability in mind, and typically represent publication printers, wide-web flexographers, prepress providers and screen printers. In addition, 75 percent of respondents felt the emphasis on sustainability