Photo courtesy RP Graphics Group
By Allison Lundy
Every day, professionals in the wide-format printing industry make choices that affect the natural environment, from the processes they use to the substrates they print on to the way they transport materials. Indeed, every stage of production in the printing industry can have a lasting impact in terms of sustainability—but this impact need not be negative.
Each April on Earth Day, businesses around the world come together to make new commitments to support environmental sustainability programs. No matter their size, they can make a real difference. And even small steps can reduce their carbon footprint.
One such step is to join the SmartWay Transport Partnership program. Originally launched in 2004 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SmartWay eventually expanded north of the border in 2014 under the administration of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
Smarter transportation
SmartWay was developed to help businesses reduce their fuel consumption and costs—and thus improve air quality—by transporting goods in more efficient and sustainable ways. To help accomplish these aims, SmartWay-approved vehicles create fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and get better mileage than the average car or truck.
The business and financial benefits are immediately apparent, but it is important to note SmartWay also makes a real difference for the environment. By using more fuel-efficient vehicles, SmartWay shippers waste less gas and release fewer harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Oil is a non-renewable energy source, after all. The shipping industry needs to be aware it will not be able to use it forever, especially at current rates of consumption, and therefore it is important to plan to use less of it and/or more alternative energy sources.
“When companies that ship freight enrol to become SmartWay partners, they take a key first step in addressing their transportation-related emissions by joining a network of like-minded organizations,” says Matthew Rankin, NRCan’s recruitment officer for SmartWay Canada. “Participation is a powerful tool for businesses to report and demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability.”
Meanwhile, businesses and organizations that are not involved in shipping products can also participate in SmartWay as affiliates. The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA), for example, has become an affiliate of the program and supports it through outreach and education initiatives for the printing industry in both Canada and the U.S.
Originally launched in the U.S., the SmartWay Transport Partnership has now come to Canada, too.
Three steps to join
Joining SmartWay Canada is easy for businesses that transport goods, whether with their own shippers or with outside contractors. In just three steps, they can begin to track and benchmark their emissions, make more cost-effective decisions and improve their operational performance.
The first step is to review the SmartWay Canada shipper tools and user guides on NRCan’s website (www.nrcan.gc.ca). Visitors to the website can register for upcoming informational webinars and look up SmartWay partners (i.e. carriers, shipping firms and logistics companies, some of which are multimodal).
The next step is to use the free shipper tool to determine and share the extent to which the business uses SmartWay carrier companies. This takes a few minutes and involves providing details about the business’ operations and environmental standards.
Finally, the completed form is submitted for SmartWay Canada’s approval. The program is voluntary and once SmartWay approves a business as a new partner, all that business needs to do is continue to use the shipping tool on an annual basis. It may seem like a small change to make, but every step helps—and can have major consequences.
By giving companies a free, easy-to-use tool for tracking their operations, SmartWay aims to both reduce their negative environmental impact and improve their functional efficiency. And indeed, many partner organizations end up finding more efficient processes for creating their products through efforts to reduce emissions.
Another benefit is the ability to promote a business as a SmartWay partner, with SmartWay-certified vehicles, so as to distinguish the company from its competitors. The SmartWay label conveys to environmentally conscious customers that the business in question is taking steps to become more sustainable. This can make a real difference in sales, as some companies have chosen to work specifically with SmartWay partners.
