6 Small Steps Toward Sustainability

Sustainability is no longer a business buzzword — it’s a must for print service providers (PSPs) looking to stay competitive in today’s evolving market. With increased consumer demand and regulatory and legislative pressures urging for more sustainable practices, it’s imperative that PSPs examine their workflows and products.

While the sustainability journey may seem daunting, the benefits are far-reaching as it can refine operational efficiency, cut costs, and improve customer relationships.

1| Understand the Demand for Sustainability

The push for sustainability is two-fold: Consumers are favoring more eco-
focused and responsible businesses and products, and the regulatory pressure at the state level is heating up.

“What we’re experiencing is a transition of sustainability,” Gary Jones, vice president of Environment, Health, and Safety Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance, says. “At one time, sustainability was a nice thing to do. … With the change in the regulatory environment, it’s now becoming a must thing to do.”

Currently, five states in the U.S. have extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, which holds producers accountable for the environmental impact of their product offerings. And while the EPR laws largely impact packaging materials: printed materials, apparel, and textiles are being added to the mix.

On the consumer side, Jones notes that some businesses are receiving questionnaires from customers. “They want to know certifications and have assurance that their products don’t contain certain chemicals that are being targeted, for example, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS),” he says. Jones also notes customers are asking about carbon emissions and what is being done to reduce them.

While some PSPs may not be quite large enough to feel the impact of government legislation just yet, the biggest takeaway may be to focus on transparency with customers and practice accountability. This means looking into the substances being used in products, evaluating carbon emissions, and staying up to date on legislative happenings. Know what your customers value and be prepared with solutions.

2| Get Certified

Implementing sustainable practices in your print shop — and proving it — is vital. Certifications are an excellent way to ensure your shop is meeting sustainability standards and serve as the stamp of approval for current and prospective customers.

One certification that’s highly recommended is the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) which is an independent third-party certification.

“SGP is really the one for printers because it’s designed for the industry, by the industry,” Sara Osorio, Environmental, Health, and Safety Affairs coordinator at PRINTING United Alliance, says. “It really is a great certification.”

Not only is SGP industry-specific, but it focuses on the manufacturing process as opposed to just the product.

“Everyone focuses on the product and they don’t necessarily pay attention to how it’s manufactured,” Jones explains. “But sustainability is both — it’s producing a sustainable product and a sustainable manufacturing operation.”

Aside from the environmental benefits, getting certified is good for business, too. It makes it easier to respond to requests for proposals and meet customer expectations. Additionally, it provides independent validation, protecting PSPs and their customers against greenwashing claims.

3| Begin at the End

One concern that has begun to influence PSPs is the life cycle of their products. Jones notes that understanding what happens to a product after its intended use is an important part of a circular economy. And, there are many considerations to be had when designing products in this way.

“You want to gravitate toward materials that are more readily acceptable into the recycling waste stream,” he says. “Is there an outlet for it? A lot of improvements have been made on inks to make them more recycling-friendly. The same with adhesives.”

When designing a printed product, some important questions to ask are:

• What is the end-of-life for this product?
• Is this product recyclable or circular?
• How easily can it be recycled, and can I provide that information to my customers?
• If it is not recyclable, can it be made with a substrate that is?

While designing products with their end-of-life in mind is critical; PSPs can also set themselves up as a resource for their customers by providing outlets for recycling or information on how to discard printed materials responsibly. Work closely with customers on the design process to choose more sustainable materials when possible.

4| Walk Your Workflow Backwards

Similar to designing products with their end-of-life in mind, walking your workflow backwards can be an effective tool in identifying opportunities for waste reduction and energy efficiency.

Jones suggests, “Ask the most powerful question in the world: Why? Why are we generating this and why is this happening?”

Assessing your workflow in this way offers valuable metrics for reducing waste and overruns. “Without metrics, your program is nowhere,” Jones states. “You need to have your metrics so you can understand your current state. You can then set your goals and measure.”

Having measurable information allows PSPs to know what they are spending on energy, how that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, where solid waste can be reduced, who their most efficient operator is, and how their process can be copied. This information is also valuable for assessing new equipment, such as presses or solar panels.

5| Don’t Forget the Little Things

When it comes to a more sustainable print shop, remembering the smaller actions is huge. The same practices you might implement in your home to save energy should not be forgotten at the shop. “The very, very small things, as far as sustainability, can actually make a huge difference,” Osorio points out.

These small actions may include:

• Turning the lights off in the plant after operating hours.
• Shutting down computers at the end of the day.
• Switching to more efficient toilets.
• Getting rid of single-use plastic in places such as the break room.
• Properly maintaining equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Encouraging employees to bring reusables.

Once these smaller actions have been tackled, it may be time to discuss more involved investments such as solar panels.

“If you’re focusing on energy, you could look at putting in a solar array,” Jones says. “We have some companies that have done that, and right now, there’s tax credits and funding available. The price of solar has come down, so it’s becoming a little bit more attractive for smaller companies to look at that.”

Another perk to solar energy solutions is that PSPs can take a community approach and invest in it with other businesses, lessening the financial burden.

6| Engage Your Workforce

As with any initiative, getting your team involved and enthusiastic is a guaranteed way to see results. Osorio emphasizes the importance of the “people aspect” of sustainability and how maintaining a safe workplace can play into those efforts.

“If you want to be sustainable, you have to think about your people, so making sure that you’re fully OSHA compliant … but preaching a true safety culture,” she says. “There’s a huge misconception that sustainability is just about protecting the environment. If you’re protecting the environment, but your people are not safe and you’re not making a profit, then you’re not actually sustainable. You have to hit all three pillars in order to call yourself truly sustainable.”

Jones echoes this sentiment. “Studies have found that companies that put safety as a priority have much higher productivity from their workforce because people want to work,” he says. “They want to work in a safe place and they feel you get rewarded through productivity.”

Providing a safe and healthy work environment for employees is a key part of any sustainability approach. Employees may be more willing to participate in sustainable practices, learn new strategies for improved workflows, or even take an interest in spearheading new initiatives. Small sustainability challenges can be a fun strategy to get employees excited and reach goals as team.

Most importantly, being transparent about the organization’s sustainability goals — and finding ways to involve employees — is a great way to ensure success.

A Greener Future

The focus on sustainability will only deepen as consumer expectations grow and legislation becomes more stringent. The key is to start now, take actionable steps, and embrace sustainability as a core business strategy rather than just a trend. From obtaining certifications and rethinking product life cycles to assessing workflows and engaging employees, every step taken contributes to a more responsible and future-ready business.