‘Sustainable Green Printing Partnership’ Created

Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) has joined with the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) to form one central location for information on sustainable, “green” printing activities. The partners have established the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP Partnership) and setup a Website (www.sgppartnership.org) that will be an information resource center for both printers and their customers.

The SGP Partnership plans on establishing sustainable printing criteria and a guidance document on how to implement a program to meet them. In addition, a national registry will be established to identify companies that meet the set criteria.

Sustainability is defined as the method of using a natural resource so that it is not depleted or permanently damaged. Within the printing industry, there are three key elements to consider: the product, process and support system surrounding them. Sustainability encompasses the materials used to create the product (ink, paper, adhesives, etc.), as well as the facility, energy consumption, employees and other supporting activities, such as solid waste removal and transportation.

The SGP Partnership is comprised of volunteer print leaders and other key players from each of the three associations. It is being led by Gary Jones, director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs for PIA/GATF.