Many printing and graphic communications companies have announced green' initiatives in recent months that have taken them to new, effective and even award-winning levels of environmental responsibility. Among these initiatives are the installation of chemistry-free press technologies, the use of soy-based inks, the reduction of start-up and production waste, paper and aluminum recycling programs, the utilization of wind and hydro power to run their plants, and even computer repurposing programs that take old, out-of-date computers and reuse them for less technically-intensive functions in the shop.

In addition to satisfying the objectives of more customers and staff members than ever before and growing into an exceptional corporate citizen, these companies are starting to be recognized by many industry leaders who themselves are adopting many green' initiatives. Not only are these bigger company-manufacturers, mostly-far more visible to the general public coast to coast, but the effects of their manufacturing efforts potentially have a greater footprint on the environment than the smaller shops who operate regionally.

The owners and operators of many printing and graphic communications companies-the firms that design, print and distribute everything from brochures and newsletters to posters and pocket folders-have begun to operate under the philosophy that going green' represents a balanced and sustainable approach for them to reduce their impact on the environment while making production activities economically viable for their own customers.

Companies in the industry must continue to find ways of providing sound environmental choices for everything from packaging and promotion to communications and specialty product production. In the end, it will be more than just the industry that benefits from these efforts, but also all of their clients and the world at large.

Learn more about this author, Joel Samberg.
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