The SmartWay Transport Partnership program, which is now available in Canada, offers credible supply-chain carbon accounting and reporting.
Photo courtesy SGIA
5. Recognize the roles of internal stakeholders
Once the sustainability committee has been established, it should be engaged on a regular basis. Some managers are surprised to see how many employees become interested in the program after changes have been implemented. Bulletin boards, newsletters and employee recognition programs can all assist with general awareness and outreach.
In this regard, sustainability efforts can be compared to those of a health and safety committee. By holding meetings, coming up with new ideas and seeking input and feedback from colleagues, the sustainability committee can help tell a continuing story and drive further changes. It should also network with other peers elsewhere in the industry, to learn from what other organizations are doing.
Again, transparency is key. Most employees are happy and eager to be involved in documenting the success of a sustainability program.
6. Communicate with suppliers
While there are many aspects to sustainability for a wide-format printing business, the products coming in the door are certainly key ingredients. They can directly affect everything from employee health to waste streams.
Choosing the right products can help set a sustainability program up to make great strides in achieving change. Substrates may contain recycled content, for example, and/or be recyclable after use. Inks may contain low or zero VOCs.
These products’ suppliers should be willing to help enhance sustainability efforts, but it is also important to avoid ‘greenwashing’ by finding out whether or not their claims can be validated. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), for example, certifies paper products that come from responsibly managed forests.
7. Go beyond the product
As mentioned, to achieve real gains in sustainability, it is important to look at all aspects of a wide-format printing facility’s operations, not just the nature of the graphics it produces.
One strategy to find room for improvement, for example, is to get an energy audit. Companies can significantly reduce their environmental footprint and their electricity bills through simple actions like replacing old light fixtures with more efficient lamps and making sure to turn off lights, computers and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment when they are not needed. (Motion sensors can also be installed for this purpose, to turn systems on when employees arrive and off when they leave.) Similar savings of heat and water—and thus financial benefits—can be achieved by switching over to on-demand water heaters and low-flow toilets, among other innovations.
Another important area of focus is waste reduction. One company that prints textile graphics, for example, is recycling 100 per cent of its fabric scraps (see information on page 46). Chemical management processes can also reuse many solvents. And shipping materials can usually be recycled.
8. The intersection of technology and sustainability
When it comes to wide-format printers themselves, sustainability is a major consideration before a purchase. It is important to check a machine’s electrical efficiency (some carry the Energy Star rating), chemical use (as some ink formulas are safer than others), safety for operators and production capacity. Many new technologies have been developed with a focus on sustainability as a priority.
Some substrates are made using plant fibre sources, which can later be shredded and composted.
Photo courtesy GBC
9. Transparency
One of the most important parts of a sustainability program is documenting specific changes (e.g. quantities of materials being recycled), so as to validate a company’s claims. Customers want to buy from reputable organizations.
Some of this validation can come from outside. By participating in the SmartWay Transport Partnership program (see Sign Media Canada, April 2016, page 64), for example, printing companies can benchmark and reduce the carbon footprint of their supply chain, as the program uses vehicles that consume less fuel and produce fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than average to improve the environmental performance of shipping goods. Supported by affiliate partners like the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA), SmartWay offers credible carbon accounting and reporting.
Another example is voluntarily purchasing energy from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, biogas, climate-friendly natural gas and low-impact hydroelectric. This is available through local energy utilities.
The SGP Partnership also involves third-party verification. The program sets out, audits and documents benchmarks specifically for printing operations, helping companies implement programs from the top down. Its certification methods are supported and endorsed by SGIA and other trade associations for recognizing their members’ accomplishments in sustainability.
Taking a strong stance
The use of a sustainability management system (SMS) is not rocket science. It requires a commitment of time and resources that will pay off in the end. Already, the adoption and integration of sustainable business practices are playing a central role in the continuing growth and success of the wide-format printing marketplace. By incorporating sustainable materials, methods and systems, the industry can thrive without reducing the capacity of the environment to provide for future generations.
| CASE STUDY: BIG INK DISPLAY GRAPHICS |
 Photo courtesy Big Ink Display Graphics Big Ink Display Graphics in Eagen, Minn., formed a sustainability committee in 2007. Dubbed ‘the green team,’ it includes representatives of all departments, who come together to share and implement best practices for their clients, the industry and the community. “We are dedicated to constantly improving our processes to eliminate waste, reduce energy consumption and promote recycling and reuse of resources,” says Thomas Trutna, president. With recycling bins added to all workstations, for example, 90 per cent of mixed office paper is now recycled. Can and bottle receptacles were brought to the production floor and the lunchroom. Designated recycling bins have also been added to work areas in the production department—with placement positions indicated by applied floor graphics—to help capture paper and cardboard that was otherwise discarded as waste. Used medium-density overlay (MDO) plywood sign faces are listed and sold on Craigslist. Leftover pallets are sent to a recycling facility where they become landscaping products. Shipping materials are reused. The company’s commitment is communicated to customers through the use of recycled packaging and by sales reps who promote alternative substrate options over polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Most recently, Big Ink set up a product floor challenges board, where any ‘redos’ are posted for review. Based on subsequent suggestions from the company’s staff, these have now been reduced by 10 per cent, cutting down on costs and waste. |
Marci Kinter is vice-president (VP) of government and business information for SGIA and chairs the technical committee for the SGP Partnership. This article is based on a webinar she presented earlier this year. For more information, visit www.sgia.org and www.sgppartnership.org.
