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The mark of responsible forestry
SGS-COC-005313
Background: In 1993 Franklin Press recognized the need to encourage and support environmentally sensitive practices in the printing industry and bring that message to school children. To help spread the word, we created Ecoman. A comic book was printed and distributed to public schools. It contained lessons on the environment and the need to recycle.
Shortly thereafter, Franklin Press helped found The Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council. Our president was a charter member and continues to serve on the board of directors. Moving forward, we became the first in the area to eliminate film in our prepress area, thereby eliminating silver and other chemicals from entering our sewer system. We switched to recyclable aluminum printing plates and in 1999 began using UltraViolet (UV) inks. UV inks emit very low amounts of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and Ozone.
In 2008 we became certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as an environmentally friendly printer.
We remain committed to supporting clean air and water initiatives as well as responsible management of our forests and natural resources.
Mission Statement: As a business we commit to working towards more sustainable business practices. We will achieve this by understanding the impacts our business operations and strategy have on the environment and society at large, and seeking to minimize any negative effects. We also endeavor to influence and encourage our suppliers, employees and customers to reduce their environmental impact.
Environmental Tactics:
Procurement
To purchase energy, water, raw materials, work equipment, transport, furniture, fittings and services from renewable or environmentally sympathetic sources. We also aim to influence the performance of our business partners, contractors and suppliers to achieve at least the same environmental standards as our own.
Energy Management
Monitor, manage and reduce consumption of energy, and aim to reduce CO2 emissions in our offices, their associated activities and print sites owned by Franklin Press. This will be achieved through the use of energy-reducing technologies, encouraging more sustainable practices and using renewable resources where practical.
Waste Management
To eliminate, reduce, re-use, re-cycle or dispose of waste in an environmentally acceptable manner in our offices, their associated activities and print sites owned by Franklin Press.
Emissions
Manage and reduce potentially harmful emissions to air from chemicals, inks, mechanical plant and equipment and ensure compliance with environmental legislation in our offices, their associated activities and print sites owned by Franklin Press. In 2006 we began using overnight shippers for local deliveries instead of our truck to reduce the amount of emissions we create.
Water Management
Monitor, manage and reduce water consumption in our offices, their associated activities and print sites owned by Franklin Press. Ensure that the maintenance of water systems is of the highest order to ensure wastage is kept to a minimum and that discharges comply with environmental legislation.
Paper Recycling
Waste paper created during the printing process is 100% recycled. Paper is baled and sold to a paper recycler. Also, when designing print jobs, we design them so that the minimum amount of paper is wasted and that we are using a paper size that minimizes waste.
Use of Recycled Paper
Franklin Press prints on paper that is certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative or the Forest Stewardship Council. This paper must meet high standards for its content - either from post-consumer recycled fiber or from pulp from SFI or FSC managed forests, or a combination of both. We also print on treeless paper that is made from limestone and uses no trees, water or harmful waste to produce.
Ink
Franklin Press relies exclusively on UltraViolet (UV) inks. UV inks emit very low amounts of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and Ozone.
List Management
Franklin Press utilizes sophisticated computer software programs that detect invalid mailing addresses before mail pieces are produced. This reduces the amount of non-deliverable mail that wastes paper and ultimately ends up in landfills. This tactic is furthered by helping our customers use ‘targeted’ direct mail, i.e. mailing only to those people for whom the message is relevant.
Social Awareness Programs:
Human Resources
Franklin Press operates a drug-free and smoke free environment for our employees. We also provide a free, anonymous counseling service for employees in need of counseling for emotional or substance abuse issues.
Local Charities
Franklin Press has always taken a leadership role in the local United Way campaign with close to 100% employee participation in most years. The company itself is involved in numerous other charitable activities. As a matter of practice, we offer standard discounts off of our normal pricing to not-for-profit entities.