Corporate Environment, Sustainability and Social Responsibility Statement
The corporate policies of Sterling Printing is to help to reduce landfill use, reduce the use of non-rapidly renewable resources, and advocate for human rights issues. We help organizations brand themselves on their environmentally and socially responsible issues. We do this by providing them with only sustainable printed collateral and promotional products to impart their green message. We help direct our clients towards using recycled paper and buy merchandise that eliminates gimmicky junk that ends up in a landfill. And we provide exceptional service at affordable prices, enabling our clients to better afford eco-friendly promotional products.
Sterling Printing uses business as a force for good deeds. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work is a high-priority goal within every aspect of our business model. We offer discounts to assist helping more individuals have accessibility to sustainable branded products. Non-profit and education discounts are available.
Guidelines we live by:
Supports and respects the protection of human rights
Does not participate in any forms of child, forced or compulsory labor
Does not discriminate in respect to employment and occupation
Supports a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
Undertakes initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility
Encourages the development of environmentally friendly technologies
Through the years, we have played our part responsibly in managing our business in a way that impacts the environment in a friendly, positive, and thoughtful manner. Long before others were paying attention to environmental issues, we implemented the following Environmental Vision and Management Policy. Virtually 50% of our paper purchases are from paper companies that harvest trees from decades old tree farms specifically planted, harvested, and replanted to provide an ongoing source of non-public paper pulp. We recycle tons of paper every month. Frankly, it is a lot of work and effort, with a buy-back revenue stream that covers only a small fraction of the cost of our efforts. We use recycled papers whenever possible, and encourage others to do the same.
We use chemicals and solvents that are almost 100% water soluble, bio-degradable, and recyclable. They are often more expensive, but we consider these products to be a wise investment. We have implemented programs to reduce our electrical consumption and to minimize the usage of all raw materials. Recently our whole shop was updated to improve the efficiency of our facility through solutions including an installation of variable frequency drives, replacement of motors, air compressors, and lighting upgrades. A very important way that we urge our customers to partner with us in our environment efforts is by using our digital/internet ordering, proofing, and reordering system. Use of our digital ordering system enables all of us to save substantial amounts of gasoline and other raw materials.
Here is some more information we have added which tells you how are we are doing our part.....
Misconception 1: Commercial Printing is not Environmentally Friendly
Most people don’t realize that paper is actually one of the most sustainable products available when compared to other resources. Today’s responsible printers are producing high quality materials on paper and board stock that is 100% recyclable. They are also sourcing their materials from environmentally conscious companies that adhere to the strictest sustainability practices for paper products as well as inks and specialty finishes. The latest technology in printing processes and machinery have also enabled responsible printers to attain drastic reductions in water usage, energy, and waste materials.
Misconception 2: Printing is Harmful to Forests
It is a misconception that printing is harmful to our forests. In fact, the U.S. Forest Service reports that there are 4 million trees planted daily in the U.S. and the timber industry is responsible for planting 1.7 million of these trees.
Responsible printing companies use products from companies that understand the need for timber not only today but years into the future. The basic rule of thumb is for every tree harvested, three or four more are planted in its place. These young trees help to absorb greenhouse gases which are known to be detrimental to the environment. If you look at this logically, the use of paper products is actually beneficial to the growth of the forests because of the overall number of trees planted. In fact, there are actually 20% more trees in North America today than there were during the 1970’s when the first Earth Day celebration occurred.
Paper manufacturers and printing companies help to keep the forests thriving through their business practices. Instead of a landowner selling their property to developers, they are able to keep the forests alive and still be profitable. They do all this through supporting sustainable timber harvesting companies and practices.
Misconception 3: Manufacturing Depletes Crucial Fossil Fuels and Energy
In the past, there were many industries that consumed fossil fuels without regard. However, this isn’t true today. Commercial printing is a manufacturing process and much effort has been put into modernizing facilities and practices, resulting in major advancements in energy efficiency. Many printing companies are abandoning fossil fuels to utilize more eco-friendly renewable energy sources. These responsible business practices help to reduce greenhouse emissions and conserve the natural resources that are so vital to the planet. Responsible practices include: switching to LED lighting and motion detection to minimize electrical consumption; replacing vehicles with internal combustion engines with electric vehicles, scheduling more efficiently for deliveries of raw materials and finished goods to reduce travel and shipping; and optimization of machine usage to reduce, energy consumption, paper and chemical waste and the emission of VOC’s(Volatile Organic Compounds).
MOST IMPORTANTLY we have been moving towards digital printing which is definitely more sustainable then offset printing. With innovation and cost efficiency both the quality and cost of printing thru the modern digital way has come down substantially. We can offer pantone matches and "flat" print feel of offset printing thru our exclusive relationship with Konica Minolta. Their Green Products Certification System is an original process for evaluating and certifying products with superior environmental performance. As we use their exclusive toner cartridges here is some additional information about toner we utilize.
ECO FRIENDLY PLASTICS
Konica Minolta has developed a technology that blends PET plastic with PC from water bottles to create a recycled material that can be used in the outer casing of MFPs. This is the first use of recycled materials for the outer casing of MFPs in the industry. We have also started producing toner bottles made from recycled HDPE plastics from recycled milk bottles.
SIMITRI TONER
Konica Minolta's own Simitri toner is made with plant-based "biomass" materials. It contains smaller particles than ordinary toner which cuts toner consumption by 30+%.
IH FIXING TECHNOLOGY
Induction Heating (IH) Fixing technology only heats the roller's surface rather than the entire roller. This reduces power consumption during the fixing process and results in shorter warm-up times. In addition, this feature automatically cuts off residual fixing heat when no print jobs are taking place, further contributing to energy savings.
Green Marketing
Konica Minolta’s Green Marketing activities help us set environmental goals based on regional needs related to distribution, packaging, sales, and service.
Konica Minolta is a SmartWay partner agreeing to reduce emissions and fuel use in logistics activities. https://www3.epa.gov/smartway/
Konica Minolta is a member of Two Sides North America, a rapidly growing non-profit organization that promotes the responsible production, use and sustainability of print and paper. http://www.twosidesna.org/US/Konica-Minolta-Takes-Lead-in-Environmentally-Conscious-Printing
Clean Planet
The Clean Planet Program is Konica Minolta's cost-free consumables recycling program that adds zero waste to landfill and zero incineration. All Konica Minolta consumables can be recycled
Konica Minolta uses solar power to reduce environmental impact at our U.S. headquarters in Ramsey, NJ. We have installed a 967,000 kWh solar energy system consisting of 3,498 240-watt solar panels.
Green Factory
Konica Minolta operates its original Green Factory Certification System for the comprehensive evaluation of the environmental activities at its production sites. The system aims to reduce waste, CO2 emissions and reducing chemical substances at each production site.
Through this initiative, we also work with suppliers to help reduce their environmental impact.
