Wide-format Printing: Nine factors for sustainability success

by all | 25 May 2016 10:19 am

By Marci Kinter
The wide-format printing industry has embraced the notion of sustainability in recent years, but this acceptance does not always lead to real change. There are several reasons for this problem.

For one thing, change can be scary. In many cases, people working within the industry are comfortable with what they are doing and will not necessarily want to move forward when new work habits are introduced to them.

For another, change can be overwhelming. If people feel like they are being asked to do too much, too quickly, they may feel hesitant to do anything at all.

Change can be awesome, however, and the key is for business leaders to help their employees embrace it. Indeed, over much of the past decade, a set of common factors have become apparent that, if adopted, will succeed driving positive change with regard to the sustainability of a wide-format printing company’s operations.

1. Embrace change
Most of today’s successful wide-format printing business owners are already adept at embracing change, given the many rapid technological developments and heavy competition they have encountered. They need to understand sustainability, too, will require a different mindset for running their facilities.

In particular, sustainability represents a co-ordination of efforts. Many pieces need to be brought together in one cohesive program, addressing everything from solid waste, chemicals and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions to water use and energy consumption.

Further, as a system-wide approach, sustainability comprises not only environmental stewardship and its related issues and concerns, but also social responsibility and economic prosperity. In this sense, it can be thought of as the intersection of the three Ps: planet, people and profit.

Embracing sustainability means being in it for the long haul. It requires work and a high degree of commitment from the entire team, with a focus on the whole wide-format printing facility, from the supplies to the building. Sustainability is not simply a matter of using ‘green’ products; it is a matter of addressing business issues and decisions to earn a strong return on investment (ROI).

2. There is no silver bullet
There is no one, single action a company can take that, like a silver bullet killing a werewolf or witch, will accomplish sustainability once and for all. As mentioned, there are many different parts that need to be brought together, given the complex nature of wide-format printing operations.

This is true of both screenprinting and digital printing. In screenprinting, for example, a combination of high-quality screens, inks and substrates is needed to yield a high-quality graphic.

Another issue in this respect is transparency. Sustainability-focused customers do not want to just hear claims; they want to see printing companies actually validate their claims.

3. Provide top-level support
A lack of management-level support is often cited as a major reason why sustainability initiatives fail. Everyone needs to understand the direction the company is taking.

The Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership is a non-profit organization that certifies printing companies for reducing their environmental impact, increasing social awareness of best practices and supporting a more sustainable supply chain. In one case, a company’s marketing manager arranged for an SGP audit, but without bothering to check in with upper management. As a result, the company did not get certified!

Without top management’s support, sustainability efforts will not get very far. It is necessary to share a vision and strategy both from the top down and from the bottom up, so time and resources will genuinely be dedicated to the cause.

By way of example, companies often continue to buy a certain product simply because they are used to it, not because it works better than other options. To make a better choice, both management and employees may need to work together.

Bosses need to be on board from the beginning and take steps forward to integrate sustainability into their companies’ operations. Without their active support, the whole system will fail.

4. Choose a champion
In a large organization, while the boss’ support is needed, someone else should serve as the sustainability champion, with responsibility built into his/her job function for integrating changes throughout the facility. Depending on the scale of the program, this employee will need access to top-level decision-makers and the ability to create and mobilize a sustainability committee.

With this in mind, it is important to recognize and build the corresponding responsibilities into the sustainability champion’s job function, rather than giving additional responsibilities to someone who is already performing a full-time job within the company. Otherwise, he/she will not be able to get much done.

CASE STUDY: STELLA COLOR

Photo courtesy Stella Color Stella Color is a small business in Seattle, Wash., that produces large-format signage, displays, trade show graphics, banners, vehicle wraps and interior décor, among other applications. Six years ago, it became the first printing company in its state to earn SGP certification. More recently, in 2015, it was honoured by SGIA with a Sustainability Recognition Award. Lynn Krinsky, president of Stella Color, explains her employees understand the importance of the business becoming more sustainable and are happier for it. Not only do they comply with all applicable environmental regulations, but they also work to go above and beyond them, particularly by recycling and reusing materials. In 2014, for example, they were able to save approximately (1,000 lb) of fabric scraps from being discarded as waste. Today, they are able to recycle fully 100 per cent of their unused fabric scrap. In some cases, these in-house off-cuts are crafted into ‘upcycled’ goods, such as tote bags. Other ways the company has gone green include a commitment to low-VOC inks and the marketing of environmentally friendly printable media.

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.

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[1] and www.sgppartnership.org[2].

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/wide-format-printing-nine-factors-for-sustainability-success/

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