Go Green | Sustainable Publishing Products

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Going Green - Can Print Marketing Really be Green?

Green Labeling I was reading the June issue of Graphic Arts Monthly and I came across an article “Green Print“ by Bill Essler.

Living in Portland, Oregon going green is at the forefront of just about everything that is done here, business or otherwise. A good friend of mine Mark Lopez is even starting up a Sustainable Catering Association. The Pacific Northwest is known for its GREEN attitude. We have comprehensive recycling programs and are the forerunners in increased consumer lifestyle and sustainablility. Portland even considers itself the actual definition of ecology.

“How Green is Your Process?
Some buyers think sustainable print means adding certification logos. But it’s really about the process.
By Bill Esler, Editor in Chief — Graphic Arts Online, 6/1/2008

One of the nation’s largest and most respected printers told me that designers and buyers are quick to ask for sustainable print production, but balk at the up charge for chain-of-custody certified papers (10% or more), wind power (20% premium) and low-VOC chemistries. While the steps to being certified to apply those little logos (FSC, SFI, PERC) can be modest, maintaining facilities and records requires methodical tracking and improved processes.

…SFI Printers
Chain-of-custody certified print firms under criteria established by the Sustainable Forestry Inititative as of May 26, 2008: www.sfiprogram.org.”

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) has a comprehensive labeling program that includes percent content labels for those who choose to use Chain of Custody (CoC). Certified retailers, printers, publishers, merchants and others are eligible for on-product label use and CoC certification.

Paper is critical to going green in print. Natural Source Printing has a FiberStone Paper that is very interesting. Tree-free, it has a white glistening surface, say printers who’ve used it. And no rocks are injured in production; it’s 80% limestone quarry waste.

One Ton of:	Trees	Waste	Water	Bleach	Stone	Additive	BTU’s
Virgin Pulp	20	Zero	16,000 g	Yes	20-30%	0 %	36,000
Recycled Pulp	4	2 tons	9,000 g	Yes	20-30%	0%	22,000
FiberStone™	Zero	Zero	Zero	Zero	80%	20%	18,000

The chart shows ingredients and resources used to make one ton of virgin or recycled paper and FiberStone Paper.

If you really want to go green with your business you will have to be willing to go that extra mile not only for your business’s definition of sustainable development and definition of ecology, but also with your pocketbook. Even your marketing materials will have to consist of sustainable publishing products. It’s not just a matter of showing your, recycle sign, recycle symbol, or recycle logo. Going green is a state of mind and an attitude of commitment.