Eco-Innovation: How We Build Sustainability into Our Engineering Solutions

In an era where the echo of environmental consciousness resounds louder than ever, our industry finds itself at a crossroads. A cursory internet search sheds light on its key concerns, from energy consumption, water usage and waste disposal, to the environmental demands of paper production. As businesses and consumers alike grow increasingly eco-conscious, the imperative to pivot towards sustainability is not just an ethical choice but a strategic necessity. Embracing green initiatives, therefore, is not just about reducing the industry’s environmental footprint; it’s about shaping a legacy of responsibility for future generations. In this blog post, we share some of the steps we’ve taken at SGK (formerly IDL) to minimize our environmental impact and enhance sustainability.

Innovative Sustainable Practices
Innovation lends itself to situations where change is required, particularly when that change is of a systemic nature. At SGK, this plays to our strengths, as we’re constantly looking for new ways of doing things in order to be and do better. We have implemented engineering solutions to minimize the environmental impact of our operations in several areas, including an increased focus on products with greater permanence, allowing our clients to use them for longer in store. We also engineer signs that can be easily changeable with more sustainable materials. For one client, for example, we designed a permanent frame solution for a high-end look. The center graphic is the only element changed by the client to reflect new promotions and this center graphic can be printed on a thin, paper-based material.

Sustainable Packaging
At SGK, we also use two Packsize machines that allow us to make our own cartons/boxes in-house. There are clear sustainability benefits from using these machines as opposed to buying cartons/boxes from an outside vendor. Replacing the traditional store-and-retrieve box model removes the corresponding waste, as well as unnecessary material and shipping costs. Right-sizing is one of the best ways to use packaging efficiently, removing void filler and corrugated fibreboard, and bringing down our overall carbon footprint.

Eco-Friendly Materials and Inks
Incorporating eco-friendly materials and inks into our operations is another area of focus for us. It’s something we endeavour to do in a way that achieves sustainability objectives without jeopardizing the print quality of our products. We have a variety of material solutions to choose from in order to meet our clients‘ needs and expectations. For example, we offer materials that contain 30% or more of post-consumer recycled content, are 100% recyclable, biodegradable or PVC-free, as well as paper-based materials that can last outdoors for up to 12 weeks. These options reduce environmental impact, exposure to toxic chemicals and quantity of waste sent to landfill.

We also offer materials that are considered long-life materials, lasting five years or more in exterior environments. Their extended life in harsh environments allows for minimal replacements and disposals. We have also virtually eliminated our VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) through using VOC free digital inkjet inks in our process. In addition, SGK has upgraded to inks cured with LED light, which reduces the electric consumption needed in the ink curing process. Each of these small changes adds up, collectively making a significant difference.

High Standards for Environmental Management
SGK is only one of 11 ISO 14001 Printers in the United States to carry this Certificate – the internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems. It provides a framework for organizations like ours to continually improve our environmental performance and is a sign that we are committed to this process, as well as to regulatory compliance in this area. It also provides businesses looking to minimize environmental impact throughout their supply chain with a straightforward way to deliver on this commitment.

Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiatives
At SGK, we have established a dedicated Safety Committee whose primary focus is sustainability and recycling. Every department within our organization has designated recycling areas, which are instrumental in enabling our employees to effectively segregate and dispose of scrap materials generated throughout the printing processes, from inception to completion. To strengthen our commitment to recycling, we have established a valuable partnership with North Coast Recycling, a company that shares our vision for a greener future.

Our recycling metrics also underscore the substantial positive impact of our efforts. For every ton of Fiber materials (including paper, cardboard, and paperboard) that we recycle, we collectively save the equivalent of 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 11 barrels of oil, and three cubic yards of landfill space. We are delighted to report that, from January through August, SKG successfully recycled a remarkable 80 tons of Fiber. This achievement translates to the following environmental benefits:

• Preservation of 1,360 trees
• Conservation of 560,000 gallons of water
• Reduction of 880 barrels of oil consumption
• Avoidance of 240 cubic yards of landfill space utilization

By integrating eco-friendly materials, adopting energy-efficient processes, and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship, we’re moving our company – and the industry as a whole – towards a more sustainable way of doing business. The journey is far from over as there is always more to be done. But, together with our partners and clients, we’re turning the page to a new chapter, proving that when it comes to sustainability, the signs are clear: a brighter, greener future is within our reach.

To find out more about how we can bring your brand to life within the retail environment while meeting your sustainability requirements, get in touch with our team today.