Sustainability Watch

Luxury packs get eco-friendly

SPONDON, England—Clarifoil now offers cellulose lamination film that provides extra luster on printed surfaces and also has the advantage of being biodegradable and compostable. Clarifoil has EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 biodegradability certification and the Vincotte OK home compost certificate, which can allow luxury product cartons to look extra attractive and perform their function effectively.

"We help designers and printers to make truly distinctive packaging for luxury products—everyone likes a treat to look as good as it tastes," said Clarifoil marketing manager Marion Bauer. "But 
Clarifoil also helps to prevent the disposal headache that comes with packaging. Our biodegradability and compostability accreditations assure customers that Clarifoil is proven to biodegrade efficiently in industrial waste processing conditions and will also biodegrade in home compost processes."

L.I.F.E. certification 
for Raflatac

GLOUCESTER, Mass.—UPM Raflatac has been awarded the Label Initiative for the Environment (L.I.F.E.) certification from Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI). The Project L.I.F.E. program assists TLMI members in finding cost-effective ways to reduce their companies' environmental footprints.

"Like many other TLMI members, we recognize that addressing sustainability issues is necessary for businesses to compete successfully today," says Laura Cummings, UPM Raflatac's sustainability and environmental manager. "We believe it's important that an industry proactively confronts sustainability issues and credibly respond to stakeholder concerns."

Flint Group 
joins SGP Program

LOVELAND, Ohio—Flint Group has joined the Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership's Patron program as a Bronze Patron. SGP, a nonprofit, encourages the movement to reduce the environmental impact and increase the social responsibility of the print and graphic communications industry.

"As a major global manufacturer and supplier dedicated to the printing industry, sustainability has been an important initiative within Flint Group for many years," states Jim Rogers, vice president and general manager, North America for Flint Group Flexographic Products. "So we naturally wanted to be part of this organization to promote the use of environmentally sound products and processes."

Sonoco works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

HARTSVILLE, S.C.—Sonoco announced plans to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 15 percent from its 121 manufacturing plants in the United States and Canada during the next five years. Its goals were outlined in a letter included with the company's 2008-2009 Sustainability Report.

"You've probably heard the saying, 'What gets measured gets done?' We have established a series of metrics which are focused on measuring our progress toward a series of environmental, social, and economic goals," says Sonoco president, chairman, and chief executive officer Harris E. DeLoach, Jr. The company also plans to reduce overal energy use and other air emissions, water usage, and landfill use.

PIA introduces 
Green Guide

PITTSBURGH—Printing Industries of America (PIA) introduced "The Green Guide for Graphic Communications: Growing and Profiting through Sustainability." The free online resource is availbale to PIA members to help printers and packaging houses capitalize on their environmentally responsible performance. The site's self-assessment tool enables a printing facility to accurately assess its green performance across a range of criteria. Then, a printer can use this assessment to establish a niche position in the marketplace and effectively communicate its "green" story to prospects, customers, and other stakeholders.

"Printing Industries of America has developed 'The Green Guide' in order to help our members find new ways to increase revenue," says Michael Makin, president and CEO of Printing Industries of America. "This unique resource can help printers grow their businesses by actively marketing their sustainability efforts, attracting new customers, and building a buzz about their company in both the local and national media."

For more information, visit www.printing.org/greenguide. pP