Sustainability

PRINTING United Alliance recognizes that today’s global marketplace requires companies to address the needs of the environmental, social, and economic systems in which they operate, as well as the strong consumer demand for more sustainable products. A business strategy focusing on sustainability can add brand value, meet customer demands, increase efficiency, reduce costs, attract valuable talent, improve your environmental footprint, and create new business opportunities. The printing industry is committed to responsibly providing for future generations. Join us on the journey.

Carbon Footprint Calculator

PRINTING United Alliance’s Carbon Footprint Calculator for Printing Operations is designed to help you quantify the ‘E’ of environmental impact in ESG and demonstrate your sustainability progress. The tool allows you to calculate your Scope 1 and 2 emissions data and report it as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e).

The carbon footprint calculator is one of the Alliance’s sustainability tools that can help you create business value.

Download the Carbon Footprint Calculator

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws shift the costs associated with recycling plastic and paper packaging and in some instances, printed paper products, to the producer of the product by imposing a fee based on the amount of product. PRINTING United Alliance can help your company navigate the complexities involved with EPR compliance. The Alliance is closely monitoring proposed and passed legislation at the state and federal level, and our state EPR legislative summaries provide detailed guidance for your business.
Learn More

Environment, Social, Governance (ESG)

PRINTING United Alliance recognizes that integrating key considerations of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) components into business policies and practices plays a central role in the successful growth of the print and packaging marketplace. The Alliance offers resources to help your company create enterprise value and manage ESG objectives.
Learn More

Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and Reducing Carbon Footprint

The field of energy has been rapidly changing since the creation of technology that reduces demand or produces renewable energy. Printing establishments, both large and small, can learn how to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve energy efficiency using renewable energy resources. Learn about the benefits of reducing your carbon footprint, and funding opportunities available to help offset the costs.
Learn More
 

Sustainability Tools

The following tools and assessments can help shape your company’s sustainability strategy.

The Three Pillars of Sustainability

Encouraging the incorporation of practices that benefit your triple bottom line, people, planet, and profit, through using innovative manufacturing methods, systems, and materials that gear toward a circular economy is the backbone of PRINTING United Alliance’s sustainability efforts. Learn more about the 3Ps.


PEOPLE: Social Impact

PEOPLE: Social Impact

Embracing the diversity of background, perspective, culture, and experience allows a company to grow and prosper. We have been working to promote diversity, inclusion, and equitable opportunity at all levels of the organization, system, and value chain. We provide human relations, safety and health expertise, to improve working conditions, workplace culture, and community engagement on a national scale.

PLANET: Environmental Impact

PLANET: Environmental Impact

Environmental sustainability is embedded in our work. The foundation of any environmental sustainability program is compliance with environmental regulations. Building on this foundation, actions addressing sustainability include a focus on energy efficiency, using clean energy, solid and hazardous waste reduction, water conservation, reducing air pollution emissions, improving facilities support functions, and improving the area outside the facility. Sustainability now extends to the supply chain and choices made for transportation of finished goods.

PROFIT: Economic Impact

PROFIT: Economic Impact

The U.S. printing industry is valued at $74.4 million and is the 16th largest manufacturing industry in America. The industry provides well-paying jobs, essential products for daily living, and an excellent return on investment. Our industry continues to innovate in product designs and manufacturing processes in a circular manner realizing greater financial and environmental value.

Latest News

Stay informed with the latest news concerning sustainability developments impacting our industry.

Recycling is about to get much easier

October 13, 2023 - QR codes with hyperlocal recycling instructions will soon show up on your milk cartons, ice cream tubs and more — meaning you'll be able to scan an item, type in your ZIP code and see if it's eligible to go in the blue bin.

Consumer Brands and The Recycling Partnership now offer consumers localized recycling data on product packaging through QR codes

October 13, 2023 - The Consumer Brands Association and The Recycling Partnership are teaming up to provide consumers with up-to-date, localized recycling instructions directly on product packaging through SmartLabel, Consumer Brands’ digital QR code labeling platform. 

Greenwashing growing in frequency and complexity: report

October 11, 2023 - “Social washing,” which is when companies make misleading claims of conduct on social issues, is also on the rise, according to a report from ESG data and research company RepRisk.

Forestry Industry Comes Together to Reach Sustainability Goals

October 6, 2023 - A faction of 10 major global forestry firms recently announced the formation of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC). This marks one of the most significant collaborations in the history of the forest industry’s fight against climate change and deforestation.

The How2Recycle label does so much right. Why are recycling rates so low?

October 6, 2023 - Eleven years ago, an ambitious new label, How2Recycle, emerged to make it easier for U.S. consumers to put their packaging in the right place at end-of-use. It offers better information than the alternatives, and it’s growing.

What can old clothes be made into right now? Puzzles, pillows and plastic pellets

October 2, 2023 - Commercial clothing recycling is still in its infancy in Australia. Here the two major players explain what unwanted clothing can and cannot become.

Preparing for the Legal Effects of PFAS Legislation and Litigation on Your Business

September 27, 2023 - Odds are that businesses involved in any kind of manufacturing or sale of physical products will be impacted by developments in legislation or case law involving per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). How big of an impact is the question businesses should evaluate.

Predicting the Sustainability of a Future Hydrogen Economy

September 25, 2023 - As renewable energy sources like wind and solar ramp up, they can be used to sustainably generate hydrogen fuel. 

Sustainability has shifted from buzzword to action, Pack Expo participants say

September 20, 2023 - Pack Expo attendees — including from Dow, Graphic Packaging International and WestRock — discussed what sustainability means for their companies.

4 Specific Ways Strategic Collaborations Can Help Make The World More Sustainable

September 14, 2023 - Alone, your business' impact on global sustainability can't do much. Collaborate with others, though? The sky's the limit.

Nike Introduces Recyclable Shoe Without Glue

September 12, 2023 - Nike has launched a new recyclable shoe, the new Nike ISPA Link Axis, which the company says it is the first exploration into a fully circular shoe.

New ISSB Sustainability Standards: A Long-awaited Milestone for Harmonising ESG-Related Disclosure

September 7, 2023 - On June 26, 2023, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) issued its first two sustainability standards, IFRS S1 and IFRS S2. These standards address disclosure requirements related to a company’s governance, strategy, risk management, and sustainability-related metrics and targets.

Questions?

For more information about our Sustainability Resources, please contact PRINTING United Alliance's Government Affairs Department.
Contact