SGIA Members Make Sustainability Commitment Through SGP Certification

For Immediate Release January 22, 2013 Contact: Kat Thomas, SGIA 703.359.1360 kat@sgia.org Fairfax, Virginia – Two SGIA member companies — Douglass Screen Printers, Inc. and Forge Graphic Works — have earned certification under the Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership. To achieve this certification, SGP requires a facility to set annual sustainability objectives (goals). “Forge Graphic Works is dedicated to raising awareness about sustainable printing practices and encourages company-wide collaboration and adoption of these principles. These efforts are aimed squarely at the conservation of energy and preserving natural resources to make our place of business a healthy, safe and environmentally-aware workplace,” said Todd Ebersole, strategy director/co-owner of Forge Graphic Works. Print facilities that are SGP Certified indicate that they are in conformance with the SGP program criteria. An SGP Certified Facility has met the basic requirements, along with specific requirements relating to the establishment of a sustainability team; the implementation of a management system; the use of SGP program metrics; taking specific steps to reduce the facility’s environmental footprint; implementing pollution prevention activities; and committing to fundamental social and ethical norms. Nicki McFarlane, of Douglass Screen Printers, Inc., says, “Certification as Florida’s first green screen and digital printer has given Douglass and its team renewed pride in our company, bust also pride in knowing that this achievement will positively affect our community and our customers, in addition to our conscience.” SGIA's 4-Step Sustainability Action Plan resource helps imagers develop a successful sustainability management system in their printing facility, and prepares them for SGP certification, if they choose. For more information, visit SGIA.org. SGP - The mission of the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership is to encourage and promote participation in the worldwide movement to reduce environmental impact and increase social responsibility of the graphic communications industry through certification and continuous improvement of sustainability and best practices within manufacturing operations.