Certifications and "recognition" programs pertinent to sustainability in the graphic arts industry are an attempt to put some kind of formality and structure in place so that both print buyers and print service providers have a standard against which to measure environmental efforts.
The
Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership, launched in August 2008, was the first national initiative; however we should not forget that there have been regional recognition programs for years. One of the earliest programs put in place was the
Printing Industries of Minnesota (PIM)
Great Printer Environmental Initiative.
According to PIM, the PIM Great Printer Environmental Initiative has been in place for over 10 years. It evolved from the
Great Printers Project, which was a collaborative project undertaken initially by the Council of Great Lake Governors, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Printing Industries of America (PIA).
Today we talk with
Paul Gutkowski, Director of Safety and Environmental Service, for PIM about the history and development of the Great Printer program.
WTT: The
Great Printer Environmental Initiative is the “grand daddy” of the environmental recognition programs for printers. What triggered the launch of the Great Printer program?
PG: Some printers were concerned about protecting the environment in the 1990’s. Those printers, along with environmental groups, regulatory agencies and suppliers to the printing industry, met to discuss how to address those concerns. Representatives from those groups developed the Great Printer Environmental Initiative or Great Printer program. One of the more significant changes to that initial program occurred in 2000, when it was decided that a third-party audit of the printer’s facility would be required.
WTT: Have you done any studies of the effects that this program has had for the participants? Since you have such a long history, it would be interesting to know if participants are also “profit leaders.”
PG: There have been no formal studies conducted. Some of the participants have remained profitable, like The John Roberts Company and Japs-Olson, but some no longer exist as separate companies, like Diversified Graphics. However, there have definitely been benefits for the printers and the environment, like the energy savings when the Great Printer has acted on recommendations from an energy audit. Or when the use of less hazardous press wash solvents and other chemicals has decreased the amount of hazardous waste generated (and decreased the associated hazmat fees).
WTT: You have 48 companies listed as participants in the program, is that a large percentage of your association membership? What do you think is the reason they chose to participate in the program?
PG: About 20% of our current membership participates in the Great Printer program. The reasons why they participate include:
- They think it’s “the right thing to do” for the environment and their employees.
- It helps them comply with any new safety and environmental regulations (in many cases catching them before OHSA does!).
- The customers require or suggest that the printer be a participant of the Great Printer program.
WTT: Would you consider the Great Printer program a natural segue into the
Sustainable Green Printer (SGP) Partnership? How do you see the two programs complementing each other?
PG: In the initial draft form of the SGP program it looked like SGP could segue into the Great Printer program. In the final form the two programs look very similar. Both require audits and completion of “beyond compliance” projects that have an environmental benefit. There are some differences like having an annual audit conducted with the Great Printer program and the SGP requiring the audit to occur every two years.
WTT: What is your advice for printers who are considering a recognition program like the Great Printer Environmental Initiative?
PG: The printers considering the Great Printer program need to realize they must work on achieving and maintaining compliance with various safety and environmental regulations. They also need to continuously initiate and complete projects that benefit the environment and safety/health conditions for their employees. It’s not done when the certification is granted, but it can have a positive impact in ways that you had not considered. My advice would be to do it, of course! The payoffs can be decreased costs, a marketing tool for your customers, and naturally, being environmentally responsible.
WTT: What are some of the “Beyond Compliance” programs that participants are working on?
PG: Our Great Printers have completed many "Beyond Compliance" projects. Some examples are listed below:
- Participating in the electric utility wind energy program. For example, Johnson Printing & Packaging receives 100% of their electricity from the wind energy program.
- Eliminating hazardous waste. Some of the Great Printers that have achieved this and produce no hazardous waste solvent are Franklin Press, Continental Press and Palmer Printing.
- Reducing the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) emitted to the air. Clear Lake Press and Japs-Olson use low-VOC press wash solvents.
- Recycling the spent solvent waste. The John Roberts Company is recycling their used press wash solvent.
- Reusing the waste ink. National Checking and Applied Graphics are two Great Printers that are completing that Beyond Compliance project.
- Reducing their energy usage by completing lighting retrofits, etc. There are many Great Printers that have completed and are pursuing further projects in that area. It is well documented that a project like this pays for itself rather quickly.
Beyond Compliance projects can also include things that are good for your employees or the environment that are not on the shop floor. Initiating a carpool program, installing a bike rack and reducing cafeteria waste are just a few examples of this. Companies can also complete projects like landscaping their grounds to use only native plants, reduce blacktop and deal with runoff or catch rainwater.
WTT: Thanks, Paul! Readers who are interested in more information, should
go to PIM's Great Printer site.
Today we talk with Paul Gutkowski, Director of Safety and Environmental Service, for PIM about the history and development of the Great Printer program.
WTT: The Great Printer Environmental Initiative is the “grand daddy” of the environmental recognition programs for printers. What triggered the launch of the Great Printer program?
PG: Some printers were concerned about protecting the environment in the 1990’s. Those printers, along with environmental groups, regulatory agencies and suppliers to the printing industry, met to discuss how to address those concerns. Representatives from those groups developed the Great Printer Environmental Initiative or Great Printer program. One of the more significant changes to that initial program occurred in 2000, when it was decided that a third-party audit of the printer’s facility would be required.
WTT: Have you done any studies of the effects that this program has had for the participants? Since you have such a long history, it would be interesting to know if participants are also “profit leaders.”
PG: There have been no formal studies conducted. Some of the participants have remained profitable, like The John Roberts Company and Japs-Olson, but some no longer exist as separate companies, like Diversified Graphics. However, there have definitely been benefits for the printers and the environment, like the energy savings when the Great Printer has acted on recommendations from an energy audit. Or when the use of less hazardous press wash solvents and other chemicals has decreased the amount of hazardous waste generated (and decreased the associated hazmat fees).
WTT: You have 48 companies listed as participants in the program, is that a large percentage of your association membership? What do you think is the reason they chose to participate in the program?
PG: About 20% of our current membership participates in the Great Printer program. The reasons why they participate include:
