WASHINGTON-The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has been named a certified facility by the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) for the agency's commitment to smart environmental practices. SGP is an independent, non-profit organization setting the industry standard for the certification and continuous improvement of sustainability and best practices within print manufacturing operations. GPO earned the certification after a continuous improvement process involving the agency's procedures, equipment, and production materials along with a successful audit by SGP.

GPO has a longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability dating to its first 100% recycled paper contract in 1990, its support for the Vegetable Ink Printing Act of 1994, and its efforts to provide digital alternatives to printed information products.

GPO's Strategic Plan for FY 2013-2017 identifies environmental stewardship as a priority specifying recycling, reducing energy consumption, reducing GPO's carbon footprint, and providing Federal customers with environmentally-friendly printing alternatives as continuing initiatives for the agency. GPO's environmental printing certification builds upon other certifications the agency has received recently, including the IDEAlliance Master Printer certification and the certification of Graphic Arts Industry Color Viewing Standard ISO 3664:2009.

"GPO is committed to smart environmental practices and will continue moving forward with environmental initiatives," said Acting Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks.  "I am proud that GPO received this certification and is being recognized for our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and provide customers with sustainable printing options."

GPO is the Federal Government's primary resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government in both digital and tangible formats. GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies. In addition to publication sales, GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through GPO's Federal Digital System (www.fdsys.gov) and through partnerships with approximately 1,200 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program.

For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov