How to Become a Sustainable Green Printer - We Talk with Marcia Kinter, SGP Partnership

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In record time, just under a year, the Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership developed and now offers a process to become a certified SGP Printer. The SGP Partnership is an independent recognition organization that provides benchmarking tools applicable to the printing industry; provides verification of green and sustainable business practices based on a published list of criteria; and publicly recognizes facilities that meet established criteria.

Marci Kinter, VP of Government & Business Information at SGIA, a founding member of the SGP Partnership, details the rationale behind the program, its purpose, and the basic application and verification process and costs. Unlike FSC or SFI Chain of Custody Certification, the SGP program is a holistic approach to sustainability. Where as FSC or SFI concentrates on the use of forest products, SGP looks at the entire production process, the facility and grounds, and staffing and human resources. Consumers and print buyers are asking for printing companies to be truly sustainable and to have proof that they are sustainable businesses. Ms. Kinter said, "One of the major goals of SGP was to establish a benchmark in the printing industry for sustainability." By working with the printing industry and consumer groups, the criteria for recognition were developed with total transparency to meet market needs. "We have been putting structure in place to develop a workflow for sustainability," added Ms. Kinter. The process can begin with simple steps and allow a company to move down the path to verification. Out of the development of process and structure came a definition of a sustainable operation. That is, today's sustainable operation, because that definition is constantly changing and will look different tomorrow. WTT: The new Sustainable Green Printing Partnership seems to revolve around two parts: having an "environmental, heath and safety compliance program" and having a signed "written sustainability policy." Is that the core of the program? MK: First, I have to stress that this program is completely voluntary. Regarding, environmental, health, and safety (EHS) compliance, the stakeholder group that developed the program was very clear in setting compliance as the program's baseline. In order to submit an application as either a Candidate Pending Verification (CPV) or as an SGP Printer, one must be in compliance. For this to be a credible program, applicants must first be committed to being in compliance, because that means they're committed to doing what's right. Of course, compliance will mean different things to different printers, based on their location, their production processes, etc. The second step is to have a sustainability policy documented and in place. A Sustainability or Environmental Policy is really the public presentation of what a company wants to achieve. WTT: What if a printer doesn't have a formal EHS compliance program in place; is there some "template" or at least suggested outline one can use? How does a printer implement such a program? MK: The first place to start is your industry segment trade association. All the associations have EHS programs in place to help members and will help members implement them. You can also get help through local chapters, or affiliates. The company always has the option of hiring a consultant. WTT: A "sustainability policy" is pretty broad; it outlines a commitment to adopt certain practices:

Compliance with environmental, health and safety requirements
Continuous improvement for environmental, health, and safety issues including areas not subject to regulation
Pollution prevention that emphasizes source reduction, reuse and recycling
Sharing information on sustainability performance with external stakeholders.

How does one prove that a written commitment converts to implementation and execution? MK: The company's sustainability policy' primary function is as a communication tool to the outside world. It really isn't meant to be specific action items but to provide a sense to the community at large of "Here is what we're doing; here is what we stand for." If you look at a policy developed by a major company, it talks about commitment to compliance and striving for excellence. Policies are couched in extremely broad terms. They're not meant to be a list of activities or initiatives. Yes, the SGP program does have a list of criteria that are meant to form the backbone of a good Sustainability Policy. Applicants should have statements in their policies that correlate to the criteria. Commitments to pollution prevention, compliance, as well as their willingness to share information with the general public should be clearly evident. The company's policy is the public outreach tool that reflects what that company has put into place via their Sustainable (or Environmental) Management System. The management system is really a core element to the program. Compliance is your ticket to play, the Sustainable or Environmental Management System provides you the pathway to sustainability. A management system includes management review, identification of projects, goals, and objectives, targets, etc.; it is a system that encourages you to look at your operation and identify areas that need work. While the policy reflects what you have done though your management system, you can actually develop your policy before implementing a management system. The policy should be a living document; it can be changed, it should be updated. WTT: What is the first step a printer takes to launch this process? MK: The first thing the applicant must do is choose between applying as a Candidate Pending Verification or SGP Printer. Candidate Pending Verification (CPV) is appropriate for facilities without an EMS in place, for example, or if no real preparation has been done toward a sustainability program. The CPV level provides a 12-month window. Companies applying as a CPV are recognized on the site as serious about sustainability while allowing for development and qualification for registration. To enter the program and be listed on the SGP Partners website as a Candidate Pending Verification, a company needs to be in compliance and have a sustainability policy document completed. It is not necessary to have an entire management system in place. Registering as an SGP Printer is more involved. The printer must be compliant, have a written sustainability policy document, and have an environmental management system in place or have made significant strides toward development. If registered as an SGP printer, the facility is listed on the site as SGP, awaiting verification. The facility must become fully verified within 4 to 6 months of applying. Once verified, then the facility is listed on the website with full company and contact information. The SGP printer applicant must also comply and document the best practices outlined in the program. Similar to Green Label, FSC, SFI, or ISO, the SGP program is a registry system, not a membership organization or a trade association. There are criteria you must meet to be verified and allowed to use the logo. Since it is not a membership organization, SGP isn't in the business of helping printers become verified. The focus on the program is to establish sustainability criteria and verify that applicants meet them. If a facility needs help, SGP encourages them to contact their trade association. A consultant is also an option. WTT: How much does it cost to apply for certification? MK: The application fee depends on whether or not you are a member of a partner organization. As I do believe that for a company to be sustainable they should support the industry organization. This shows overall support for their industry sector.

$295 for members of a Partner Association (FTA, NAPIM, PIA/GATF, SGIA)
$595 for those not members of either Partner or Supporting Associations

The annual renewal fee, to be submitted with the SGP annual report, also has two tiers:

$150 for members of a Partner Association (FTA, NAPIM, PIA/GATF, SGIA)
$300 for those not members of either Partner or Supporting Associations

WTT: What does the on-site verification audit entail? MK: After submitting the requested application and paperwork, the applicant is sent a pre-audit checklist. The auditor reviews the facility's submitted information, and if all is in order, the next step is the audit. Auditors are trained to follow a specific verification protocol that includes an interview, plant tour, and conversations will staff on the plant floor, in the front office, and throughout the company. Sustainability should be pervasive through out the operation, and the auditor will want to talk to those involved in the effort. Expect that it will take a full 8-hour day. At the end of the audit, the auditor will recommend for or against certification. If they recommend against certification, the applicant gets a list of deficient items and a deadline by which to resolve them. SGP will then follow up to make sure that the deficiencies have been corrected. WTT: How does one find an SGP Partnership qualified auditor? MK: We are in the process of adding a list to the website now. The goal is to have auditors geographically located so there is easy access across the US and Canada. WTT: How much does an audit generally cost? MK: The verification fee depends on the duration of the review process and includes the onsite review and development of all pre and post verification documentation.

$1500 for members of a Partner Association (FTA, NAPIM, PIA/GATF, SGIA)
$3000 for those not members of either Partner or Supporting Associations

In addition to the fees listed above, the applicant is responsible for all travel expenses for the auditor. WTT: SGP Printers are required to commit to at least one continuous improvement project addressing one issue for either the product, process or "envelope" area each year. Printers will be asked to identify preliminary goals during in the application process. What does this mean? MK: To be sustainable, you must embrace continuous improvement. The program asks them to identify one goal, such as increase recycling by 20%, in the application. This goal would then become a part of the facility's Sustainability Management System. To verify their goal, the facility would then develop an action and implementation plan to meet that goal. This would be part of the documentation reviewed by the auditor. WTT: What is the certified printer's annual progress report? What if I haven't completed or seen significant progress on the "continuous improvement project" in the year to be reported on? What happens then? MK: The annual report is a series of questions that look at the goal, the implementation of the action plan and the end results. If an application has not completely met the goal set, but has shown progress toward that goal, they are not going to be penalized. This is a voluntary program, not a regulatory or enforcement agency. Progress needs to be shown; however, it will be a different situation if there is NO progress toward the defined project goal. WTT: How long (number of pages) should I expect my application to be? Upon reviewing the mandatory best practices, it looks like documenting compliance will require a detailed document. Are there sample documents that provide examples of the level of detail recommenced? MK: The application itself is not very long; in fact it can and should be completed online. Once you have registered on line for your password, complete the application, and upload your written sustainability policy. If you're a CPV applicant, you're done at that point. If you're an SGP applicant will complete a longer online application and describe your Sustainability Management System. You describe your selected continuous improvement project and submit your application. The application is fairly straightforward. However, the documentation of the management system and the best management practices will likely require a 3-ring binder. WTT: What is the "Sustainability Metrics System?" It appears that it is the metrics against which the printer's operation is measured to ensure compliance. Is there a copy available for review? MK: First, the metrics are not a standard against which compliance will be measured. SGP is not in the business of conducting EHS compliance audits. Instead, the Sustainability Metrics are a benchmarking tool offered as a resource for applicants. It is a series of metrics, such as VOCs, air toxics, energy use, water consumption, safety and health, etc., that the applicant can use to benchmark their own operation and that support the best practices. The metrics will help as the applicant defines and tracks their continuous improvement goals. WTT: In summary it doesn't sound like a terribly complicated process. MK: It really isn't. The applicant should download the criteria before deciding on which path they want to follow to reach certification. The CPV path allows recognition of intent while developing and implementing the programs and processes needed to qualify for certification. The SGP path acknowledges that some companies have put programs, policies, and procedures in place and are ready to have them verified. The SGP certification is not just a checklist that must be completed and the applicant is recognized and finished with the process. It is a commitment to continue to become a sustainable printer and to document continuous improvement. Is it for every printer? No. However if your customers are asking you to verify that you have "green" practices in place or to document your Environmental Management System, then - yes - this program is for you.