Being ‘Green’ Pays Dividends
Internally at Quad/Graphics, recycling is combined with benchmarking, hazardous waste control and control of its offset, rotogravure and web finishing air emissions, to drive down waste and curb energy usage. In 2006, for example, 98.5 percent of all materials purchased and used by Quad in its manufacturing and office operations (more than 300,000 tons annually) was recycled for other uses, including 299,000 tons of paper and fiber, nine tons of fluorescent lamps, 18 tons of co-mingled containers, 1,800 tons of metal, 800 tons of plastic and 4,600 tons of wood, together with 1,700 tons of recovered energy.
The company utilizes the best practical pollution control technology from Goss, MEGTEC, Contiweb, L&E America and others to minimize emissions, as well as a widely acceptable and available carbon absorption solvent recovery system in its rotogravure pressrooms. Quad utilizes its own patented solvent recovery system in its finishing operations to capture and reuse fugitive emissions from ink-jet applications. Quad’s participation in the EPA’s Green Lights conservation effort led it to replace 14,000 high-intensity lamps with energy-efficient fluorescent fixtures, an investment that paid for itself in a very short period of time, Estock says. The company, which uses some wind power for two of its plants, plans to look at micro-turbines and solar opportunities in the near future.
Furthermore, Quad’s ink waste has declined 74 percent from 1989 to 2006, despite a 317 percent increase in production. (It should also be noted that Quad had four facilities in 1989, compared with nine facilities in 2006.) Company-wide, the average renewable resource oil content (soy, linseed, corn) of Quad’s proprietary Enviro/Tech heatset offset ink is currently around 7.9 percent. The typical industry average renewable resource content for heatset offset ink is said to be on the order of 3 percent to 4 percent.
In cooperation with the SmartWay Transport Partnership, Quad Transportation Services made aerodynamic modifications to its fleet cabs and trailers; replaced older, heavier trucks with newer, lightweight vehicles; and installed energy efficient anti-idling technology and roll-resistant tires to help reduce drag. The company also educates its drivers on how their driving habits affect fuel consumption and air emissions, and requires them to keep their driving speeds within the speed limit.
