Last month Cal Poly's Graphic Communication program hosted The Business of Green Media Conference, a one day event focusing on "what the graphic communication industry is doing, and can do, to take a leadership role in addressing issues related to sustainable business practices."

At the event, Robert C. Tapella, Public Printer of the United States gave the Keynote speech which provided insight into the current state of the GPO, and the agency's efforts to embrace sustainable communication practices:

By law, I have an obligation to “take charge and manage the Government printing office.” In my view, this entails an obligation to be a good steward of the resources under Gpo’s control. Under my administration, Gpo’s business will be conducted in an environmentally, economically, and fiscally sound, integrated, continuously improving, efficient, and sustainable manner. In short, I believe in doing the right thing. this may surprise a few people, but environmental sustainability is not a partisan issue. It’s good business and good government.

Speaking of direct changes the GPO has made to its operations, Tapella noted that the the Environmental Protection Agency recently downgraded the GPO from a large Quantity Generator of Hazardous wastes to a “Small Quantity Generator” after the agency changed press cleaning solvents.

Tapella also pointed to Executive Order 13423 signed by President Bush last January as inspiration for reducing the environmental impact of the agency. This includes the use of recycled paper, reducing hazardous waste, optimizing processes to minimize waste, transitioning to digital print, and moving to the GPO to "green building." Tapella would like to see GPO move into the first LEED platinum printing plant in America.

Tapella would also like to see the adoption of a certification program for environmentally responsible paper for use by Federal agencies:

In concert with the office of the environmental executive, I would like GPO to develop an environmentally advanced certificate or seal for a more environmentally responsible paper for use by Federal agencies. these could include processed Chlorine Free (pCF) paper, carbon neutral papers, and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified papers, and perhaps others. I’d like to encourage the paper industry to embrace such a move.

A transcript of Tapella's Keynote can be downloaded from http://www.gpo.gov/news/speeches/PP_CPSUSpeech.pdf