Over at the Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership Web site, a conversation with 3M about the company’s long sustainability journey. Here’s a nice quote: “pollution and waste were really the result of manufacturing inefficiencies.” And thus:
We optimized our manufacturing process and initiated the Pollution Prevention Pays (3P) program, which prevents pollution at the source through product reformulation, process modification, equipment redesign and recycling and reusing waste materials. To date, 3M has implemented over 9,300 3P team innovations and prevented more than 3.5 billion pounds of pollution.
Another good money quote:
Sustainability has been profitable for us too; our Pollution Prevention Pays programs have saved over $1.5 billion.
And:
Ultimately we think it’s better to prevent pollution than to try to clean it up later. And as with any initiative, it’s important to start with obtainable goals such as recycling office paper, turning off lights and computer monitors when not in use. These actions make a difference and they’ll help build the momentum necessary to tackle larger objectives.
Very nice.
About Richard Romano
Richard Romano is Managing Editor of WhatTheyThink. He curates the Wide Format section on WhatTheyThink.com. He has been writing about the graphic communications industry for more than 25 years. He is the author or coauthor of more than half a dozen books on printing technology and business. His most recent book is “Beyond Paper: An Interactive Guide to Wide-Format and Specialty Printing.
