Cleveland, OH -- The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) recently appointed David R. Sunderman, Project Manager and SGP Coordinator of Visual Marking Systems, Inc. (VMS) to its Board of Directors.  Mr. Sunderman has led VMS’s sustainability efforts for the last two years and spearheaded the company’s SGP audit for certification in 2012.  At just 24, David is the youngest member of SGP’s Board of Directors.

Founded in 2008, Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) is an independent, non-profit organization providing a certification label for sustainability in the graphic communications industry. SGP is the industry standard for the certification and continuous improvement of sustainability and best practices within print manufacturing operations.

The mission of the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership is to encourage and promote participation in the worldwide movement to reduce environmental impact and increase social responsibility of the graphic communications industry through certification and continuous improvement of sustainability and best practices within manufacturing operations.

The graphic communication industry is an important part of the world’s manufacturing community. Print plays a vital role in communication, education, and daily existence. The graphics industry has historically understood its effect on the natural world and accepts responsibility to continue efforts to reduce its overall environmental impact.

The organization was initiated by the top trade associations Printing Industries Association (PIA), Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA), Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) and National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM).  Before its creation, there were no boundaries or parameters set as to what defined a sustainable printing operation. “Green” products were available, but this did not address the actual manufacturing process.

Marcia Y. Kinter, Vice President of Government & Business Information for Specialty Graphic Imaging Association notes, “Dave's enthusiasm for not only SGP, but sustainability, will be a great addition and asset for our program, states Marci Kinter, Chair, SGP Board of Directors.  We are very fortunate to have Dave serve on the board and look forward to his many contributions.”

Newly elected board member David Sunderman said “Working with many of the SGP Board members over the past two years has brought education, best practices, and improved business objectives to the VMS family.  I'm honored to be nominated and selected for this position.”

VMS has an outstanding track record of sustainability as evidenced by its recognition as the “First Certified Green Printer in Northeast Ohio” (2012) by the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP). 

Maintaining green practices throughout each layer of VMS’ business is a priority. Initiatives include recycling programs to reduce waste, employee engagement in developing green initiatives, product development which incorporates post-consumer materials and construction projects that result in less energy use and landfill waste.

VMS’s sustainability policies and procedures have led to the achievement of several significant

successes to date. These include a lighting retrofit project to reduce carbon footprint and energy costs, an effective recycling program that involves a significant amount of office and production materials, on pace to divert almost 15 tons of raw material from landfills in its first full year; and panel participation on sustainable business practices in areas of manufacturing, procurement, and employee engagement at the American Public Transportation Workshop in August 2012.

VMS, through its extensive efforts, has been able to reduce its annual average usage in the following areas:

Raw Material Savings External Scrap Rate   5%

Water Savings   16%

Energy Savings (Electric)   15%

Energy Savings (Natural Gas)   2% 

As a Certified Sustainable Green Printer, VMS has undergone extensive auditing encompassing all business operations and practices. They uphold the standards of SGP through their many green initiatives, which positively affect people, profits and the planet because these ideals are core to their business.