Environmental Statement

I. Environmental Statement

At Art Litho, we recognize that protecting the environment is both good business and good for the community. We are committed to sustainability as evidenced by our focus on recycling, waste reduction, energy efficiency and renewable energy.  As a proud member of the Maryland Green Registry and the EPA Green Power Partnership we are dedicated to reducing our environmental impact as well as sharing our best practices with the community.

As part of our commitment to sustainability Art Litho strives to improve its processes.  In recent years we have added color management software and press improvements that have significantly reduced waste while improving the quality of our printed pieces.  We recycle our plates, manufacturing paper waste as well office waste.  Art Litho also partners with a number of like-minded organizations to further our environmental mission as well as help our customers communicate their sustainability message.

 

II. FSC® Certification

Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC)

As part of the graphic arts community we are committed to paper as a responsible and renewable form of communication.  Art Litho has been FSC certified since 2006 as part of its commitment to sourcing paper responsibly.  The Forest Stewardship Council is a global organization promoting responsible forest management. The FSC Trademark identifies products, which contain wood from well-managed forests certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council. From a customer perspective, the FSC label communicates that Art Litho, and you, are committed to environmentally and socially responsible forest management.

 

III. Clean Energy

Art Litho purchases clean energy in the form of wind power credits from Clean Currents. Wind energy is a renewable resource that reduces the amount of harmful emissions entering the atmosphere.  In 2011 Art Litho became an EPA Green Power Partner by increasing our wind power purchase level to 20% of our annual utility usage. 

IV. Recycling

In order to reduce waste, Art Litho Printing Solutions regularly recycles paper, aluminum, and ink. Our employee recycling program ensures our staff recycles their used paper and aluminum on a daily basis. In addition, the paper waste resulting from a printing job and leftover ink is collected, separated and recycled.

V. Maryland Green Registry

Art Litho is a proud member of the Maryland Green Registry.  The Registry was designed to recognize organizations committed to sustainable practices as well as provide a forum to share ideas about the environmental challenges facing businesses.  With membership, the State of Maryland recognizes Art Litho for:

• Environmental Policy Leadership
• Recycling of raw materials (Paper, Ink, Printing Plates, Electronics, etc.)
• Renewable Wind Energy Purchasing and Consumption
• Employee Commute Minimization
• Efficient Business Travel
• Storm water Management

VI. Eco-Smart Inks

In 2008 Art Litho switched its sheet-fed pressroom inks to the EcoSmart inks.  These inks were developed with twice the vegetable-based oils and 1/10 the VOC's of standard inks.  They contain no more than 5% VOC’s and 45% renewable resource content. 

VII. Helpful websites

To learn more about how you can implement environmentally sound practices please contact us or visit:

Forest Stewardship Council:  www.fscus.org
Chesapeake Bay Trust:  www.chesapeakebaytrust.org/
Chesapeake Bay Foundation:  www.cbf.org/
Clean Energy Partnership:  www.cleanenergypartnership.org/
Chesapeake Climate Action Network:  www.chesapeakeclimate.org/
Nature Conservancy: www.nature.org/
Environmental Defense Paper Calculator: www.environmentaldefense.org/papercalculator/