In an effort to assist our customers with understanding the many ways in which we approach print, in a way that is both responsible and sustainable, we have developed a list of environmental practices that we currently employ. This list, is sure to grow and evolve as we learn more and more about sustainable print and it’s implications.

• Paper
  • We believe in protecting our environment and natural resources for our children and the future. For this reason, we’ve become Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. This certification identifies that we work with suppliers who adhere to forest-management standards and regulations that help protect our country’s bio-geographic  regions, provide public information about certification, and promote FSC certification in the U.S. and around the world. For more information about FSC products contact Shawn Pack at (847) 981-9910.
  • SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) Chain of Custody Certification.
    This industry certification verifies essentially the same thing as FSC with minor differences to what defines a “Well Managed Forest”.
  • We offer and encourage the use of recycled substrates whenever possible.

• Inks / Chemistry / Rags
  • Use of Low VOC inks, cleaning solvents and fountain solutions.
  • Use of UV cured inks and coatings.  This produces printed products that emit almost zero VOC’s.
  • We have an ink implant enabling us to purchase ink more efficiently thus reducing excessive ink inventory and eventual disposal.
  • Clean and reuse all rags used in production process.
  • We employ CTP (Computer to Plate) technology thus eliminating the need for film and all associated chemistry.
  • Our Metafix CTP-pH-Control system collects, measures and neutralizes the pH levels of all CTP waste effluent using a specially formulated neutralizing agent. After neutralization the effluent is safely discharged on site. This is all tracked in our suppliers (Environmental Management System) database. Quarterly they issue Volume Reports, Incident Reports and Sample Discharge results. The Ph Control system also filters and collects any trace hazardous materials and we then dispose appropriately.
  • All unavoidable chemical waste is disposed of in accordance with local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Packaging
  • We either recycle or reuse all incoming pallets.
  • We reclaim manufacturing paper waste and re-purpose for carton filling in place of packing peanuts.
  • We use paper tape for carton sealing so the carton can be easily recycled after use.
  • In closed loop programs where we deliver the same products in the same carton style day after day, we offer a reuse program where we pick up used (empty) cartons when we are there dropping off new products. In one particular case this saves over 10 truckloads of corrugated cartons.
  • We encourage the use of 100% recycled paperboard for printed packaging whenever possible.
    
    

• Recycling Efforts
  • Recycle used aluminum printing plates.
  • Recycle scrap sheet metal, steel, copper, brass and aluminum.
  • Recycle all manufacturing paper spoilage.
  • Recycle used inks and used solvent.
  • Recycle cardboard.
  • Recycle expired printer cartridges.
  • Recycle cleaning rags.
  • Recycle office paper.