Environmental Mission

THE
ENVIRONMENT

CLEAN

What does it mean to operate a clean workplace? At Publishers Press, we're answering that question by making conscience decisions when it comes to the improvements in our facilities. Some of the steps we've taken in working toward a cleaner workplace and environment include:

Being the first printer to print an entire magazine using a complete computer-to-plate process. Our leadership in this milestone has allowed us to achieve a 100-percent silverless workplace, which dramatically reduces the amount of waste water sent down the drain and eliminates silver as a waste.
Purchasing the newest company truck that is "certified clean idle" which allows the truck to use a diesel fuel that is 97 percent cleaner than standard highway-use diesel.
Eliminating the use of isopropyl alcohol in the pressroom, which improves air quality and employee safety.
Installing state-of-the-art Clean Switch Pollution Control Equipment which makes our air 99.5 percent clean.

CONSERVE

Conservation initiatives are in place today throughout our facilities, and Publishers Press will continue focusing on these efforts well into the future. Currently:

We're working on getting both of our plant's HVAC systems on energy-management networks.
We're developing ways to conserve paper. One way we've achieved this is by utilizing digital fax systems, so that faxes are received electronically and appear on computer screens.
We're washing and reusing ink buckets, keeping hundreds out of the landfill each week.
We've also preserved 550 acres of land at our Lebanon Junction facility from development and are using that land for conservation studies and recreation.

REDUCE

Publishers Press has worked hard to reduce the amount of waste and pollutants in and around our two plants. Taking small steps such as fixing leaky faucets and using less napkins have a huge impact on the environment. Some ways we're working to reduce waste include:

Earning the "Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator" classification, which means we dispose of very little hazardous waste each month. Any hazardous waste that we do accumulate is incinerated and fuel blended and used as energy by a licensed third-party. No hazardous waste is ever sent to the landfill.
Using a new heat recovery system that reduces the negative air pressure in the plant to decrease our energy use.
Installing ink levelers on all presses. This has cut ink waste by 30 percent.
Purchasing ink in large bulk containers, eliminating the waste of traditional smaller metal and plastic ink cans and the cardboard boxes used to ship them.

RECYCLE

The effects of recycling are tremendous. In fact, the energy saved by recycling just one aluminum can could operate a television set for three hours. Publishers Press recycles over 25,000 tons of paper and paper products each year, and every ton of recycled paper saves 380 gallons of oil, 17 trees, and 7,000 gallons of water. Some of our recycling practices include:

Recycling and shredding 100 percent of every core plug and using them for mulch. In 2007, 30,000 pounds of core plugs were recycled.
Purchasing a heat recovery system that recycles a high percentage of the energy from our industrial processes and uses it for heat in our paper warehouse.
Recycle aluminum plates and keep them out of landfills. Approximately 323,000 pounds are recycled by Publishers Press annually.
Fuel blending inks, coatings, solvents, and adhesives and using them for energy by a licensed third-party. No hazardous wastes are ever sent to the landfill.

SGP

Publishers Press is working toward certification by the Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership. This organization was formed to set standards for the printing industry based on three components: product, process, and envelope. Its aim is for continuous improvement among member printers.

SGP was established by PIA/GATF (Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation), the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA), and the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) as an independent, third-party verification organization. It was established to be a source of credible information related to sustainable business practices across the printing industry and to provide education and support to the printing community. SGP has gone to great lengths to establish criteria that will improve the overall carbon footprint of printers while helping to achieve sustainability.

Together with SGP, we hope to implement even more initiatives to make our production methods more energy efficient, less taxing on the environment, and healthier for our employees and community. For more information, please visit the SGP website at www.sgppartnership.org.