More Printers Become Certified SGP Printers

The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership has announced that six printing facilities are now certified as SGP Printers: Fineline Printing Group, Indianapolis, Ind.; Pictura Graphics, Minneapolis, Minn.; Pratt Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind.; The John Roberts Company, Minneapolis, Minn.; Monroe Litho, Rochester, N.Y.; and most recently, Meisel, Carrollton, Texas.

Since it opened in late August 2008, the SGP Partnership has been receiving a steady flow of applications from facilities wanting to be recognized for their sustainability efforts. In addition to the six SGP Printers, there are currently five more facilities awaiting the completions of their audits to become SGP Printers and 25 Candidates Pending Verification (CPV).

Printing facilities located in the United States and Canada are eligible to apply to the SGP Partnership as either a CPV or SGP Printer. CPVs must conform to basic criteria and are given 12 months to further develop their in-house programs to meet the requirements of a SGP Printer. A CPV may not use the SGP logo, but are recognized on the SGP Partnership Web site.

To become a certified SGP Printer, a facility must meet all the basic CPV commitments and 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. Additionally, the SGP Printer status includes annual reporting and a biennial certification audit requirement. SGP Printers are given a certification number and logo for use on their printed products to indicate it was “Printed by a SGP Printer.”

Lists of CPVs, SGP Printers Pending Verification, and certified SGP Printers are available at www.sgppartnership.org.