Women in Print Who Are Leading the Way in Sustainability

By Lisbeth A. Lyons

This article was originally published on Women in Print Alliance.

Earth Day is April 22nd and Women in Print Alliance is celebrating those in our community who work every day to make our industry and planet a better place. We recently caught up with one of those women, Milissa Bergman, procurement manager at Inovar Packaging Group in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to learn more about her role focuses on enhancing sustainability and how all women in print – regardless of their job function – can help tell the industry’s environmental stewardship story.

WPA: In a few sentences, please describe the function of your job that focuses on sustainability.

MB: It is my responsibility to gather information and educate on the materials we purchase, the legislation that impacts our customers, and the affects that our supply chain and manufacturing has on the environment.

It’s important for our customers to have the materials and education needed to reach their goals as well as here at Inovar to take steps to improve our footprint.

We have made investments in partners along the way to provide us with building blocks so we can make the best decisions and lower our environmental impact. I attend as many conferences as possible to stay up to date on the latest developments. The sustainability world is changing quickly, and I am the main information gather and educator for our internal team. I consider myself lucky that Inovar supports this passion.

WPA: What sustainability effort or success are you or your company most proud of?

MB: Amherst Label, a part of Inovar Packaging Group, answered a need for liner recycling that their customers had. They partnered with one of our suppliers to pick up their liner. The customers all wanted to do the right thing but were struggling due to space constraints to collect the required amount for pick up. Amherst Label solved that problem by combining the volume from multiple customers.

WPA: Has your company won any environmental stewardship awards or certifications?

Amherst Label, a part of Inovar Packaging Group, won the 2023 TLMI Frosty award for their efforts on their liner recycling program.

WPA: If you could correct one misperception about the printing industry’s environmental stewardship, what would it be?

MB: It would be the misperception that all labels make the whole package detrimental to recyclability and are not sustainable. There are so many ways to achieve a positive impact throughout the whole process from design, printing, application, and disposal. We work closely with our supplier experts and associations to achieve the best possible results. We welcome the challenge to do the right thing!

WPA: How can other women in print – who don’t work directly in sustainability roles – amplify the environmental efforts going on the industry? What story should they be helping to tell?

MB: Women are naturally caring, nurturing people. We care about what we are leaving behind for the next generations. I would say get educated, ask a million questions, and do what you can. We are all in this together.

WPA: Finally, how will you celebrate Earth Day this year?

MB: Like every other day, looking for ways that I can continue to do my part. It could be choosing to use refillable bottles, educating myself on new advancements and always recycling my trash. If everyone just did that, we would really see a difference. It starts with us.

Thank you, Milissa, for sharing your thoughts and for highlighting career print industry career options focused on environmental affairs and sustainability.

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Lisbeth A. Lyons Author's page

Lisbeth Lyons is Vice President, Government & Political Affairs, PRINTING United Alliance, the largest, most comprehensive graphic arts trade association in the country. With more than 20 years of experience representing the voice of business on Capitol Hill, Lisbeth advocates for public policies that protect and advance the economic future of the printing and packaging industry. She oversees PRINTING United Alliance’s legislative, political, and grassroots advocacy initiatives, and has served in executive leadership of multiple successful advocacy campaigns, such as Coalition for Paper Options, Coalition for a 21^st Century Postal Service, and Stop Tariffs on Printers & Publishers Coalition.

Prior to representing PRINTING United Alliance, Lisbeth served in similar roles at Printing Industries of America, US Telecom, and the National Federation of Independent Business. She also spent three years as a K-12 teacher in the Chicago Public Schools system, where she was on the forefront of urban education reform in the mid-1990s.

Lisbeth is Midwestern born and bred, having grown up in the St. Louis metropolitan area and attended college at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, before starting her career in Washington, DC. She holds a B.A. in English/Sociology and a professional graduate certificate from The George Washington University School of Political Management. She lives in the historic Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC.

An avid leader and learner in professional development, Lisbeth was a founding member of the Government Relations Leadership Forum, and is an active participant in organizations such as Council of Manufacturing Associations, Women in Government Relations, and National Association of Business PACs, among others. Lisbeth is often a featured speaker at premier industry conferences; she has spoken to Boards of Directors, corporate executive management teams, and state and regional trade associations across the country from coast to coast.