Sandy Alexander of Clifton, NJ, won in the category of ‘Environmental Sustainability and Your Plant,’ for designing a new wide format facility to be as environmentally friendly as possible, and for reconfiguring an existing wide-format printing area to maximize energy reduction. Premier Press of Portland, OR, was recognized as the top contender in the category, ‘Beyond Environmental Sustainaiblity,’ for operating a 100% wind-powered facility and for purchasing carbon offsets to generate a “carbonless” footprint.

“The participation of SGP-certified printers in our Environmental Innovation Awards—and their presence among the winners—is a testament to the efficacy of the program. We congratulate these companies for their achievements, and thank them for their leadership and their commitment to sustainable printing,” Richard Romano, managing editor, WhatTheyThink Going Green.

Over the coming weeks, WhatTheyThink will be highlighting the award winners and their contributions to environmental solutions in a series of one-on-one videos. Executives from WhatTheyThink and Unisource will present the awards on May 17, in Atlanta, GA.

Gary Jones, Vice-Chair, SGP Technical Advisory Committee and a founding member of SGP, will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony. Jones will highlight the strong ROI that SGP Certification delivers for Certified printers, and the value that a sustainable facility brings to the supply chain. Jones will also show video examples of print buyers such as adidas that preference SGP Certified printers. Video testimonials will also be heard from a number of Certified printers including Pictura, Infinity Images, SunDance Graphics, Portland Color, Stella Color, Flexible Packaging, C-P Flexible Packaging, and Modernistic.

Jones is Assistant Vice President of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Affairs of Printing Industries of America. Jones regularly lectures at industry events and writes a column, “Environmental Alert,” for Printing Industries of America’s magazine, The Magazine.

About SGP

SGP is a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry. The organization promotes reducing the environmental impact and increasing the social responsibility through sustainable green printing practices. To receive SGP certification, print facilities go well beyond compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. They establish sustainability management systems, implement best practices, and commit to continuous improvements in sustainability. Certified facilities are also required to report on progress annually. For more information about the SGP Partnership, the SGP Patron program, or the SGP certification process, visit www.sgppartnership.org.

Contacts:

Heidi Thompson
ACE Public Relations for SGP
sgp@acepublicrelations.com
732.892.5445

Sustainable distribution and industry stewardship is important to Laird Plastics. The company has been involved with several associations and their environmental committees for years, including the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA), International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), and the American Chemistry Council (ACC). Laird is committed to sustainable supply chain dynamics, and believes it has a responsibility to validate manufacturing claims for the end user, while passing consumer concerns back upstream.

“Laird Plastics operates its business by incorporating a clear view of how we interact with the natural environment, which is why our partnership with SGP is so important,” Brett Thompson, Director of Environmental Affairs, Laird Plastics. “We will continue to reduce our environmental impact and consumption of non-renewable resources, increase the impact of our market wide recycling efforts, and add environmentally preferable products to our portfolio.”

“We are very excited to have Laird Plastics join the SGP community. Laird has been in the forefront of plastics recycling, and many of their customers are SGP Certified printers. Their commitment to helping customers establish in house recycling programs speaks for itself,” Marci Kinter, Chair, SGP Program.

Plastics are inherently recyclable, but dozens of material types make the identification of specific ones difficult. For this reason, Laird helps educate its customers to improve the public perception of plastics. Its recycling strategy is based on a “reverse distribution” concept, whereby collected materials are returned to its vendor partners to be re-incorporated into new product.

About Laird Plastics

Laird Plastics is the largest independent plastics distributor in North America, with 53 locations throughout the United States and Canada. It is also the only full line distributor with a business unit solely devoted to plastic recycling and sustainable supply chain management.

About SGP

SGP is a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry. The organization promotes reducing the environmental impact and increasing the social responsibility through sustainable green printing practices. To receive SGP certification, print facilities go well beyond compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. They establish sustainability management systems, implement best practices, and commit to continuous improvements in sustainability. Certified facilities are also required to report on progress annually. For more information about the SGP Partnership, the SGP Patron program, or the SGP certification process, visit www.sgppartnership.org.

Contacts:

Amy Batky
Recycling Coordinator, Laird Plastics
abatky@lairdplastics.com
561.443.9165

Heidi Thompson
ACE Public Relations for SGP
sgp@acepublicrelations.com
732.892.5445

“Webcrafters is proud to add SGP Certification to our family of sustainability initiatives,” comments Jac Garner, President and CEO, Webcrafters. “SGP Certification provides a formal structure that not only recognizes our past and present sustainability efforts, but builds upon that success going into the future.”

“Webcrafters has been dedicated to sustainability for many years and the SGP Certification is another achievement to their commitment to sustainability and to continuous improvement,” states Gary Jones, SGP Technical Committee Chairperson.

Before SGP Certification, Webcrafters ran a sustainable operation for decades, and identified that with a few modifications to its processes, it could easily fulfill SGP’s Certification requirements. Today, Webcrafters continues to evaluate its processes to reduce its environmental impact, which the company recognizes its importance to its customers, employees, and community.

About Webcrafters

Located in Madison, WI, Webcrafters is a nationally recognized leader in conventional and digital,
four-color book and catalog manufacturing.  Clients from the educational, atlas, trade, and B2B catalog industries rely on Webcrafters for top-quality book manufacturing, solid value and attentive customer service. The company was founded in 1868, and installed its first web offset press in 1959.

About SGP

SGP is a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry. The organization promotes reducing the environmental impact and increasing the social responsibility through sustainable green printing practices. To receive SGP certification, print facilities go well beyond compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. They establish sustainability management systems, implement best practices, and commit to continuous improvements in sustainability. Certified facilities are also required to report on progress annually. For more information about the SGP Partnership, the SGP Patron program, or the SGP certification process, visit www.sgppartnership.org.

Contacts:

Kip Frautschi, VP Marketing and Planning
Webcrafters Inc.
kfrautsc@webcrafters-inc.com
608-244-3561

Heidi Thompson
ACE Public Relations for SGP
sgp@acepublicrelations.com
732.892.5445

“SGP Certification was a substantial undertaking, but the resulting improvements in our products, processes, and facility were well worth the effort,” comments Nicki Macfarlane, President, ProGraphix.

SGP Certification gives ProGraphix the opportunity to develop and implement a formal sustainability program that delivers value and results. As a credible, third party endorsement, SGP Certification demonstrates ProGraphix’s commitment to achieving its sustainability goals, while meeting customers’ expectations and providing a safe working environment for employees.

“SGP Certification is for all companies, large and small alike,” states Marci Kinter, Chair, SGP Program. “The Certification demonstrates ProGraphix’s commitment to sustainable business practices, and it clearly differentiates them in the marketplace.”

The Certification Process

ProGraphix began the certification process with regular committee meetings to encourage employee participation and communication. The company conducted extensive research to identify environmentally friendly print materials, such as recyclable banners and biodegradable rigid substrates. Today, ProGraphix recommends these sustainable materials to its customers whenever possible, and ensures that its suppliers are aware of its preference for sustainable media.

As part of the Certification process, ProGraphix also opted to upgrade its equipment to incorporate more sustainable processes. For example, its new flatbed printer substantially reduces the amount of waste produced, and the printer’s UV inks have virtually no VOCs. Other improvements were based on the safety and health checklist that supported its goal of providing a safe working environment.

About ProGraphix

ProGraphix is a locally owned wide format digital printer located in Austin, Texas, specializing in sustainable, eco-friendly retail, exhibit, event, and promotional graphics.  The company produces high-quality custom graphics including trade show displays, banners, posters (rigid, flexible, and adhesive backed), stretched canvas, wall coverings, window graphics, car and truck wraps, yard signs, decals, and bus ads. ProGraphix is certified in the State of Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program.

About SGP

SGP is a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry. The organization promotes reducing the environmental impact and increasing the social responsibility through sustainable green printing practices. To receive SGP certification, print facilities go well beyond compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. They establish sustainability management systems, implement best practices, and commit to continuous improvements in sustainability. Certified facilities are also required to report on progress annually. For more information about the SGP Partnership, the SGP Patron program, or the SGP certification process, visit www.sgppartnership.org.

Contacts:

Nicki Macfarlane
President, ProGraphix
nicki@prographixaustin.com
512.371.1964

Heidi Thompson
ACE Public Relations for SGP
sgp@acepublicrelations.com
732.892.5445

“We created the brand to fill gaps in the market, but we didn’t stop there. We listened to customers so we could fulfill their objectives,” comments Tim Bolton, Director of Consumer Products.

In the past, retailers only had corrugated, petroleum-based, or wood structures to choose from for their POP displays. With an increased demand for a greater environmental profile, customers are opting for Falconboard’s recyclable products, which are 100% paper-based and made from renewable resources. As a result, Falconboard  is exceeding its goals year upon year, but its success is not without some challenges.

Bolton explains, “Since the economic downturn, the value of sustainability has been stripped, and customers are focusing on bottom line pricing. Sometimes there’s a conflict.”

But the company has not been deterred. With a continued demand for sustainable POP solutions, Falconboard is focused on product development. The company is also creating exposure and accessibility to its products. One of the ways Falconboard achieves this is through its partnership with Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), a nonprofit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry.

Partnering with SGP

“Partnering with SGP is important to Falconboard because it aligns with our core vision,” Bolton says. “As a manufacturer, we are only part of the puzzle. SGP brings together all parties interested in sustainability — retailers, certified printers, and other manufacturers. It’s a necessary partnership, and working together, we can all grow.”

Falconboard was one of the first companies to support SGP. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Falconboard’s sustainable products are important to many of the SGP Certified printers, who offer environmentally-friendly alternatives for retailers’ printing needs.

“SGP makes it easy for retailers to meet their sustainability requirements. They simply work with an SGP Certified facility, which has all the supplies that retailers need to produce sustainable POP displays and other marketing pieces.”

“Other than it being the right thing to do, SGP adds credibility to our initiatives as a sustainable manufacturer,” notes Bolton. “It allows our message to go out on a broader basis.”

With its partnership with SGP, Falconboard is well on its way to becoming the most recognizable sustainable solution for retailers’ POP displays, signage, exhibits, and more. Together, the organizations are advancing sustainability, one certified printer at a time.

xpedx set its goal to become a leader in sustainability in distribution. To that end, Wallace developed a comprehensive strategy that would have the greatest impact. “We wanted to work with our customers and suppliers to deliver a more sustainable supply chain,”  he notes.

Standard Business Practice

The challenging part was getting an organization of xpedx’s size and scale to move in the same direction. Wallace admits that adopting sustainability measures across the board requires a large investment of time and communications. “It’s important that everyone throughout the organization understands the value and goals. It’s not a project, but rather a standard business practice. It’s how we go to market every day.”

Wallace also recommends identifying champions throughout the company to be the conduit, and to back them up with a dedicated team centrally.

xpedx has received a very positive response from its employee base. Many staffers are sustainability-minded at home, and are excited to participate in a company-wide initiative that shares their values.

Keeping Score

One of xpdex’s sustainability goals is to work more collaboratively with suppliers — not just on their products, but on how they run their businesses. “We want to work with like-minded companies,” explains Wallace.

xpedx teamed up with Net Impact, a non-profit community of leaders who use their business skills to tackle the world’s toughest problems, to create a scorecard for its suppliers based on three areas: commitment, willingness to collaborate, and metrics. xpedx is currently in the process of implementing the scorecard with the suppliers that represent the majority of its purchases.

Partnership with SGP

In 2011, xpedx became a gold Patron of SGP,  a nonprofit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry. The SGP Partnership is in alignment with xpedx’s sustainability objectives. “If we have commercial printers that ask us how to apply sustainable concepts operationally, we can refer them to SGP,” comments Wallace. “Some printers are seeking to certify their sustainable print facility, while others are just discovering environmentally-friendly processes, and SGP can help them achieve their goals.”
Aligning with key partners like SGP reinforces xpedx’s commitment to sustainability. “Our goal is to be an industry leader in sustainability. No other company in the distribution industry is taking such a comprehensive focus,” concludes Wallace. “We will be ahead of the game in distribution.”

About xpedx

xpedx, a business of International Paper, is one of the largest distribution companies in North America. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, xpedx distributes a variety of print, packaging and facility solutions supplies and equipment to printers, manufacturers, retailers and commercial facilities from locations across the U.S. and Mexico. For more information, visit www.xpedx.com/sustainability.

After embarking on several sustainable projects that proved to reduce energy consumption and operating costs, VMS recognized the value of sustainability and became SGP Certified. SGP Certification was an opportunity for VMS to make a positive impact on the world, while allowing it to market itself as a dedicated and sustainable company. Through the Certification, VMS has demonstrated ways to reduce costs and now is constantly striving to reduce its impact on the world.

“SGP Certification provides the continuous education that will allow VMS to do better,” comments Dolf Kahle, CEO, VMS. “In becoming Certified, our company can provide economical, social, and environmental improvements, for both us and our customers.”

“By gaining VMS as a certified printer, SGP expands its visibility within the imaging community.  Not only does VMS serve the retail market space, but more importantly, the OEM market,” comments Marci Kinter, Chairperson, SGP. “VMS’s reputation within the OEM market provides SGP a foothold into this ever-increasing and important market.  We are excited to welcome VMS into the SGP certified community.”

VMS values the framework that SGP Certification provides to manage its operations. The SGP audits keep VMS credible and provide the company with the tools to complete yearly continuous improvement projects that help enhance its bottom line. The newly-Certified printer also recognizes that it makes good business sense to invest in a program that incorporates EHS laws from the EPA, Workman’s Comp, and OSHA.

VMS prints uses eco-solvent, latex, or environmentally friendly UV ink on any of its ten different digital printing lines. It also is able to provide solutions for screen printing, ranging from 24×26 inches to 52×96 inches through eleven different screen lines.

About Visual Marking Systems, Inc.

For over 50 years, VMS has been a leader in the custom graphic design services and printing industries. It seeks to help companies gain a significant edge with innovative marking and product identification.

About SGP

SGP is a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry. The organization promotes reducing the environmental impact and increasing the social responsibility through sustainable green printing practices. To receive SGP certification, print facilities go well beyond compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. They establish sustainability management systems, implement best practices, and commit to continuous improvements in sustainability. Certified facilities are also required to report on progress annually. For more information about the SGP Partnership, the SGP Patron program, or the SGP certification process, visit www.sgppartnership.org.

Contacts:

David Sunderman
Visual Marking Systems, Inc.
dsunderman@vmsinc.com
330.425.7100

Heidi Thompson
ACE Public Relations for SGP
sgp@acepublicrelations.com
732.892.5445

“By approving this expansion of SGP certification, the Board recognizes the need to develop one central certification standard for the graphic communications industry across the globe. We’ve heard this not only from the certified community, but the customer base as well,” comments Marci Kinter, Chairperson, SGP.

Texas Aardvark, a textile screen printing company located in Sydney, successfully integrated the SGP criteria into its operation. It will be one of the first print facilities to attain Certification in Australia. A dozen other facilities in Australia have also expressed interest in becoming SGP certified.

“It is so exciting that we have been given the green light on this program,” comments Pamela Mannell, General Manager, Texas Aardvark. “Texas Aardvark welcomes the opportunity SGP has given us with its accreditation, and we look forward to a mutually rewarding association between SGP and our company.”

SGP is a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry. The organization promotes reducing the environmental impact and increasing the social responsibility through sustainable green printing practices. To receive SGP certification, print facilities go well beyond compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. They establish sustainability management systems, implement best practices, and commit to continuous improvements in sustainability. Certified facilities are also required to report on progress annually. For more information about the SGP Partnership, the SGP Patron program, or the SGP certification process, visit www.sgppartnership.org.

Marci Kinter
SGP Chairperson
sgpchairperson@sgppartnership.org
703-359-1313

Heidi Thompson
ACE Public Relations for SGP
sgp@acepublicrelations.com
732.892.5445

“We believe that making environmentally responsible corporate decisions is both good for our business and our planet,” says Ed Kniep IV, President and CEO, Shaughnessy. “We share and support SGP’s mission and we are pleased to sponsor its efforts.”

“Its fantastic that Shaughnessy has identified SGP as the sustainability organization to partner with,” comments Martine Padilla, SGP board member. “Shaughnessy is known as a standout industry leader for developing high-value partnerships, and it understands why its advocacy of industry initiatives is so critical.”

Shaughnessy strives to provide its customers and stakeholders with sound solutions in three key areas of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social. The company offers its customers an ever-growing selection of papers made from recycled fibers and alternative materials, including eucalyptus, sugar cane bagasse, bamboo, and cotton. Shaughnessy is also committed to offsetting 100% of its energy consumption and fleet emissions from delivery vehicles.

Shaughnessy is tri-certified, strictly adhering to FSC, SFI, and PEFC requirements. Through its use of Green-e Certified Clean Source credits and verified Choice Carbon offsets, the company supports the development of alternative energy sources such as biomass power, hydropower, and wind power.

About Shaughnessy

Shaughnessy, Kniep, Hawe has over 130 years of success serving the graphic arts industry. It markets printer paper, business communication papers, billboard substrates, graphic supplies, and packaging materials to commercial printers, corporations, publishing companies, and government agencies. For more information, visit skhpaper.com.

About SGP

SGP is a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry. The organization promotes reducing the environmental impact and increasing the social responsibility through sustainable green printing practices. To receive SGP certification, print facilities go well beyond compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. They establish sustainability management systems, implement best practices, and commit to continuous improvements in sustainability. Certified facilities are also required to report on progress annually. For more information about the SGP Partnership, the SGP Patron program, or the SGP certification process, visit www.sgppartnership.org.

Contacts:

Kasper Woldtvedt
Shaughnessy, Kniep, Hawe
kwoldtvedt@skhpaper.com
314.810.8215

Heidi Thompson
ACE Public Relations for SGP
sgp@acepublicrelations.com
732.892.5445