First things first: What is sustainability?
Sustainability is the ability to exist constantly. In the 21st century, it refers generally to the capacity for Earth’s biosphere and human civilization to co-exist. – Wikipedia
Printers have a responsibility
The print industry is always changing and evolving. Those who stay up to date with new technology and established methods of completing projects more efficiently and effectively will stay relevant in an increasingly competitive market. But focusing solely on growth and ignoring the environmental impact their business may have is irresponsible. Below are a few of the initiatives we have taken to lower our environmental impact. The first one we had started 18 years ago, well before “sustainability” had become a household word.
The Digital Way Forward
When we purchased our print company back in 2000 I had quickly realized that I wanted to eliminate the press department. This was unheard of at the time, a print shop moving forward without an offset press. It wasn’t that I wanted to become a copy shop, on the contrary, I wanted to still be known as a print shop, but one that utilized the advancements in digital print technologies from companies like Xerox and Canon.
What bothered me most about having an offset department was the use of harsh chemicals and inks that had to be disposed of in large drums and removed by a hazardous waste disposal company. Plus the large amounts of paper waste that seemed to be in every press run was disturbing. Also there was powder everywhere, ink splatters everywhere, and a chemical smell that was always present. It was time for a change.
So in 2002 we decided to close down our tradition offset department and move our business to state-of-the-art digital printing. We were way ahead of the curve here. The transition to a digital print shop had helped our customers reduce the need for huge print runs that consumed large amounts of paper, ink and other resources. By embracing ideas like on demand and variable data printing, we had helped reduced the impact of wasteful overprinting and unused inventory.
Responsible Paper Sourcing
Paper choice can influence how sustainable a printing method is. We have taken the initiative in making certain that stock and other raw materials we utilize come from environmentally sound sources when available. Our FSC certification ensures that our certified papers and products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.
What does FSC stand for? Forest Stewardship Council
What is the FSC? The FSC is an independent, non-profit organization that protects forests for future generations. An open, membership-led organization that sets standards under which forests and companies are certified. Membership consists of three equally weighted chambers — environmental, economic, and social — to ensure the balance and the highest level of integrity.
What does the FSC do? The FSC Principles and Criteria provide a foundation for all forest management standards globally, including the FSC US National Standard that guides forest management certification in the U.S. For more info visit: https://us.fsc.org/en-us
We are always looking for new ways to make our company greener.