Sustainable Printing, are we there yet? – magazine feature

As a child, my parents would take me and my four siblings on long drives in an old Holden station wagon, with no particular place in mind to go. As inquisitive kids we'd always have to know “where” we were going. Mum would always give the same answer, “there and back again to see how far it it is.” I remember thinking; “where's there?” and inevitably one of us kids would pipe up “well, are we there yet?”

With the advancement of technology and sustainable development, many are asking that same question and, although some have made leaps and bounds in this area the short answer is “no.”

Sustainability is a little like going on a drive to “there”. No body actually knows where “there” is. For printers who have come far in sustainable practices, there's no turning back. It's this philosophy that printers around the world are embarking upon - and reaping the benefits.

Many key strategies are put into practice to achieve sustainable goals. Technology itself is becoming more sustainable. Energy use is being minimised and met from renewable sources. Management of the entire print process is being scrutinised to eliminate wastage and unnecessary processes. Residual emissions, waste and effluent are also being recycled.

American green dream
One notable web and sheetfed US company, Anderson Lithograph, part of the $2+ billion Cenveo Group, is setting new benchmarks. From first appearances it looks like any other printing company, with printing awards proudly displayed in the foyer, along with work samples. It's not until you take a look at the awards you get a sense this is no ordinary print shop.

Frank Barnett, director of manufacturing systems, explains: “Sustainability is not something new for Anderson Lithograph, In 1995 we made an investment of $9 million dollars in a natural gas fueled, combined cycle, cogeneration facility that produces 5.7 megawatts of electrical power and 1,340 tons of chilled water. This was built because of the need for increased chilling power and traditional electricity was simply not sustainable.”

As a part of constructing the 'cogen' plant, the printing facility was modified to capture nearly all volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions of both web and sheet fed presses. This qualified Anderson's facility for permanent total enclosure (PTE), as certified by the local Los Angeles County air quality regulatory body.

Nothing goes to landfill
A key aspect of the strategic business philosophy is a commitment to ecology and an obligation to all stakeholders, including the wider community. With this in mind, Anderson Lithograph developed a comprehensive ISO 14001 based approach, in order to make the most out of everything that it takes, makes and wastes. More importantly, when something ceases to be of use to them they find alternative uses.

“We have an extensive recycling program here, but like the development of the cogen plant it took thinking outside the grid to come up with the initiatives,” says Barnett.

An example of this is the fact they recycle on average 100 tons of pre and post- consumer paper waste each week, part of which is converted it to home insulation by an outside recycling firm.

Barnett adds: “Recycling of paper is a complex issue with a number of factors to be considered. Converting waste paper into end-products that are of a more durable nature, presents a far more environmentally advantageous solution. Other environmentally sound uses of recycled paper are paper board liner, packaging materials, and wood substitutes for building and furniture fabrication materials.”

Anderson Lithograph stands by its claim that nothing goes to landfill and has made the conscious decision to have all waste by-products processed by thermal conversion, which is called Vitrification. This includes things such as metal tins and plastic containers in which suppliers package ink and coating materials.

The end result is that Anderson Lithograph's hazardous waste by-products are incinerated and reduced to a molten state, encapsulating any remaining hazardous compounds into the crystalline structure of a glass-like agate, rendering it totally inert and non-hazardous.


Customer involvement and beyond
Many customers are asking beyond the obvious: “do you use soy-based inks and eco-friendly paper?” As a part of Anderson's environmental management system, a reporting system has been developed that actually details the impact of printed materials on the air.

“Many customers have already addressed their internal processes and practices and are looking for new opportunities. We have a paper purchasing policy which encompasses all the needs of our clients including FSC Chain of Custody,” states Barnett.

When asked if Anderson is indeed “there yet”, the answer is no. With client companies at different stages of sustainability, it is a slow process of educating and working with them. Cenveo-Anderson Lithograph is committed to the continuous exploration of all eco-options.

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Kristina Holdorf has been made an official auditor for SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) here in Australia, offering paper merchants and printers the opportunity to be officially certifed through chain of custody. She is available for consultation to the industry on Urban Fresh