Suppliers Go Green

Corporate Green Initiatives Sustainability starts at the corporate level. Several vendors are taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, use alternative energy sources, recycle and more.

Epson

Epson stresses energy savings and efficiency, preservation of resources, elimination of harmful substances and recyclability. The company strives to create products that are energy efficient, reliable and recyclable. Many Epson products carry the Energy Star logo, which is assurance that the product adheres to stringent, government-direct criteria for energy efficiency. In addition, Epson is extending producer responsibility by building optimum recovery/recycling systems that meet local regulations in each region in which products are manufactured and sold.

Fujifilm

Fujifilm and Evelop, a division of Econcern (a sustainable energy solutions company), have signed a letter of intent to develop a corporate wind farm at Fujifilm’s plate manufacturing operation in the Netherlands. Once complete, the wind farm will produce between 15,000 and 24,000 megawatt hours of energy per year, enough to provide up to 20 percent of the energy needed to power Fuji-film’s production plant there. The project reflects Fujifilm’s continuing commitment to the environment and drive to reduce its carbon footprint.

Heidelberg

Sustainability is a key concept for Heidelberg. Planning, design and manufacturing processes are set up to minimize the environmental footprint. From 2004 to 2008 the energy used per metric-ton output was reduced by 40 percent. The overall recycling rate was 94 percent in 2008. Heidelberg products can reduce the environmental footprint of a print shop (e.g. reducing waste, energy consumption and other emissions across the whole offset production chain). Heidelberg works closely with industry associations to ensure sustainable processes and supports initiatives such as the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership.

Kodak

Kodak has a long-standing commitment to sustainability for its customers, communities and employees. Over the past five years, Kodak has achieved a 36 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage. In recognition of its sustainability program, Kodak earned a place on the FTSE Good Index listing of socially responsible companies for more than five years. In addition, Kodak has established voluntary partnerships with leading sustainability organizations, such as Business Roundtable’s S.E.E. (Social, Environmental, Economic) Change Initiative and the Global Environmental Management Initiative.

Presstek

The manufacturing process used to produce Presstek’s DI ProFire Digital Media uses a vacuum metallization process, which eliminates water usage, thus conserving water and halting wastewater disposal. Presstek also recycles unused polyester. In 2007, 119,746 pounds of polyester was repurposed and kept out of landfills.

Rena Systems

Rena has taken some steps within the company to be more of a friend to the environment. The company recycles its trash, but also recycles, and reuses biodegradable packaging materials whenever possible.

Xerox

Xerox has been a leader in environmental sustainability since the 1960s. It was among the first in the industry to launch remanufacturing initiatives and remains a leader in creating waste-free products, manufactured in waste-free facilities. Xerox helps print providers by offering environmentally friendly products and giving them tips on how they can make their operations greener. From 2002 to 2006, Xerox reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 18 percent. Its goal is to reduce company-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2012, compared to 2002 levels. Xerox was an early adopter of ISO 14001, an international standard for environmental management. All of its major manufacturing sites were certified to ISO 14001in 1997. Xerox has achieved a 91 percent recycle rate for non-hazardous solid waste.

xpedx

xpedx is chain-of-custody (CoC) certified to the FSC, SFI and PEFC standards. As North America’s largest distributor of printing papers to in-plants, the company offers a broad selection of environmentally preferable papers. This is critical for in-plants serving companies with procurement policies that specify use of CoC-certified grades. In-plants interested in becoming CoC certified can go to xpedx.com to download a Getting Started kit. Additionally, copies of the PEFC, SFI and FSC standards are available for download, as are usage guidelines for reproducing the standards.

Green Products

Providing more eco-friendly equipment is one way vendors are doing their part for the environment.

Baum

To eliminate waste, many Baum folding machines incorporate a one-sheet test mode, allowing just one sheet to be fed during setup. Also, Baum cutters reportedly use less energy than most other models. The control system only operates when the two-hand cut buttons are pressed. This saves on energy costs and usage.

ECRM

In early 2007, ECRM launched the “Energy Wise” campaign to promote awareness of the environmental and economical benefits of energy-conserving solutions and applications in prepress processes. ECRM supports this effort in the way it designs its platesetters. MAKO platesetters, for example, use the same amount of energy as three 100-watt bulbs, and are as much as 40 times more energy-efficient than some thermal CTP solutions. The cost savings can add up to more than $1,000 dollars per year.

EFI

EFI’s BioVu inks are made from corn, a renewable resource, and are reportedly the first and only solvent inks to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) program. EFI Fiery digital print servers were among the first to ship as RoHS (Restriction of the use of Hazardous Substances)-compliant. EFI’s MIS products save thousands of reams of paper annually. The company’s headquarters is designed to harness the Earth’s natural resources to aid in heating and cooling the space.

Gateway Bookbinding

Gateway Bookbinding manufactures Envirokoil, reportedly the only recycled plastic spiral binding on the market. It is made from more than 90 percent post-commercial waste. Envirokoil is generated from Gateway’s Plastikoil binding. Scraps are gathered and reprocessed into Envirokoil. It is available as either a black or dark green coil. All diameters are available, from 6 to 50 mm.

GBC

GBC is introducing a line of eco-friendly binding covers for consumers seeking “Green” presentation options. It will consist of a variety of popular cover styles all made with 100 percent post-consumer waste content. GBC’s Regency cover, which has a leather-like appearance, will be available in black in the Eco Series option. More durable frost and black covers will feature 100 percent post-consumer waste content. Less expensive paper covers with 100 percent PCW content also come in warm earth tone colors of tan, brown and green. The new line will be available in April, 2009 for the direct printer market.

GBR

GBR autoSET 18 and autoSET XT 22 are “Green” alternatives for production inserting. They require less service and use fewer parts than comparable inserters. This can mean fewer trips by contract service people. Additionally both autoSETs can be attached to house air and vacuum systems, substantially reducing electrical use and heat gain from the inserters. They are easier to set up and operate, reducing waste and time. They stop less often and destroy fewer pieces of mail, much of which is transaction based and must be reprinted.

Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta takes proactive measures to protect the environment. The production process of its Simitri HD Polymerized Toner generates nearly 40 percent less carbon dioxide, reducing output of a gas that contributes to global warming. Its product line optimizes power consumption for each operating mode, controlling the flow of power to save energy wherever possible. A new IH (Induction Heating) system is used in the belt-driven fusing unit, an award-winning technology that heats only the surface of the roller, saving energy and significantly reducing warm-up time.

Mitsubishi Imaging

Mitsubishi Imaging’s signature technology, Silver DigiPlate polyester CTP, produces four times less raw material waste than metal CTP systems. Its workhorse DPX 4 platesetter has been redesigned with an efficient eco processor that drastically reduces chemical usage and waste. For 100 percent chemistry-free processless platemaking, Mitsubishi Imaging has introduced Thermal DigiPlate. The company also distributes ink-jet papers certified eco-friendly by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Muller Martini

Muller Martini equipment is engineered for environmental friendliness and conservation. Its hardcover machines consume 20 to 30 percent less energy than competitive machines. Its saddle stitchers and perfect binders are designed to reduce emissions. Muller Martini adhesive binders also feature insulated glue pots to minimize ambient exposure. State-of-the-art technology on its stitchers, binders and other equipment assures precise production control, decreasing waste. Its automated bundlers also lower waste by creating quality logs. Muller Martini trimmers can segregate trim waste to maximize recycling.

Océ

Acknowledged for its earth-friendly operations by Climate Action, Océ helps its customers achieve their sustainability goals without sacrificing quality, speed or productivity. Océ’s large-format printers are designed and manufactured with ecosystem preservation in mind. They are efficient, requiring no warm-up time, and offer low energy consumption and a lower carbon footprint. They have low emissions, including low ozone, dust, toner, heat and noise emissions. Flexible paper-handling options decrease media waste. Also, their modular, upgradable equipment design prevents premature obsolescence.

Presstek

Presstek’s environmentally friendly DI presses and its chemistry-free CTP solutions are engineered for economical and environmental sustainability. Its chemistry-free CTP plates require no chemical processing. Its 52DI and 34DI utilize waterless printing and on-press chemistry-free imaging. Plus paper waste is minimized.

Rena Systems

Rena has switched from propane to electric for its warehouse forklift. By designing and using a fanfold tab with a center hole for tractor drive and a 13⁄16? diameter, Rena has greatly reduced the amount of material used to produce each case of tabs as well as the waste material that other tractor-fed tabs use. This translates to roughly a 65 percent reduction of materials, or about 30 tons of materials that don’t end up in landfills every year. The smaller tab size also reduces the amount of material that goes on a mailer (and eventually into the trash/recycle system). Rena’s recently introduced Roll Tabs use 15 to 20 percent less material than comparable tabs.

Ricoh

Ricoh’s innovative, sustainable products include a line of eco-friendly production printers and multifunctional products. Ricoh’s ENERGY STAR qualified products are designed for optimum energy efficiency, with power save modes and quick warm-up times. Maintaining air quality, the products have low emissions of volatile organic compounds and restricted use of environmentally sensitive substances. The products, manufactured in zero-waste-to-landfill plants, are designed for maximum recyclability and recovery of materials at end-of-life.

Rochester Software Associates

Rochester Software Associates, while responsible for increases in volume at its customers’ in-plants, has also helped reduce unnecessary printing. SurePDF, RSA’s Adobe PDF Print Driver, eliminates mistakes by making sure jobs are accurate, use the correct fonts, and are approved by the user before they reach the print center. The City of Baltimore uses RSA’s PDF Pro to output data center jobs to PDF rather than paper. Jobs can be printed if necessary, meeting the government’s goal of reducing waste.

Van Son Holland Ink

Van Son Holland Ink has developed a waterless Vs4 ink, designed to aid in the reduction of waste materials and ink consumption. Compatible with all waterless plates and presses, Vs4 inks save printers time and money in operational expenses. The attributes of the waterless ink benefit not only a printer and its customers, but the planet as well. By reducing wasted paper materials and the volatile organic compounds that are associated with dampening usage, printers contribute to both forest conservation and efficient water conservation.

Xanté

Xanté’s PlateMaker5 is a process-free, chemical-free CTP system. It uses Clean Plate Technology to create plates with no cleaning or special etch required. Xanté Platemaker5 can print numerous polyester plates that go straight to the press, which helps to eliminate waste.