Environmental Sustainability — The Greening of Print
The printer has been greening itself for the past several years and boasts many eco accomplishments. Here are just a few, noted by Wendy Scholler, environmental, health and safety coordinator. Times Printing has promoted the use of soy-based inks. Contracting with an ink removal firm, 6,325 gallons of ink waste have been recycled and used for energy recovery. A solvent recycling unit is being purchased to reuse up to 90 percent of the wash from its presses. A recent changeover to acetone from methanol usage in its ink-jet process is significantly eliminating VOCs. A biodegradable citrus product has replaced one of its solvents.
Rather than disposing of 38 drums of oil-soiled absorbent press socks and pads each year, adds Scholler, the printer now processes them for reuse. More than 20,440 lbs. of plastic, including plastic strapping used on the shop floor, are recycled. Times recycles all of its scrap paper.
“Participating in the Green Tier Program has really brought the concept of environmental responsibility into our inner workings. Everyone is aware of its benefits to the company and to our surrounding neighbors and community,” Scholler states.
Another benefit of being in the program has been from a marketing standpoint. “I see so many more jobs coming in now requesting environmentally friendly inks and papers. Our salespeople tell us that customers look at this type of progress in vendors more and more,” Scholler reports.
Hi-Tech Imaging
Marietta, GA
Hi-Tech Imaging is a “greening-in-process” company that follows its woman owner’s values to a T. “As a mother of two young boys, I feel compelled to practice the values I want them to grow up having,” says Cara Kass, COO. “Our kids have been learning the importance of recycling in school since kindergarten. As role models, we need to walk the walk in our every-day life, as well as our business.”
