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The Cutting Edge of Environmental Responsibility
Environmental awareness has become an important topic in recent years as more and more businesses try to find new and innovative ways to become more environmentally conscious and eco-friendly. As awareness increases, so does new research on sustainable environmental practices, which requires companies to consistently stay aware of the latest information.Over the last six years, Ivie has made it a priority to stay on the cutting edge of the latest advancements in environmental stewardship and sustainability practices. Our approach involves four components: researching and understanding best practices, helping clients implement programs, driving adoption of those programs and practices, and exercising opportunities internally at Ivie.
Research and understanding of the best environmental practices are driven by both client needs and Ivie initiatives. Ivie researches environmentally friendly printing and paper options through recurring meetings with vendors where we discuss their newest products and the various types of green printing options they offer. Ivie also researches green industry certifications such as ISO 14001, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
The time we spend working to understand industry best practices allows us to make informed recommendations to help our clients meet their environmental responsibility goals. We understand opportunities for best practices that extend throughout the printing process - beginning with the paper itself, the merchants who handle it, and finally the printers that use it. If a client is interested, we may recommend utilizing papers that contain 10%-30% post-consumer waste, that are whitened using elemental chlorine-free (ECF) processes or that are SFI or FSC certified. Ivie works with merchants and printers that are FSC Chain of Custody certified as well as paper mills that demonstrate environmental and self-sustaining practices. Ivie also encourages research and testing of renewable resources for signage applications.
Our expertise relating to environmental practices and issues allows us to help clients become early adopters of new industry standards. In 2005, Ivie began working with a group of key national suppliers to investigate the environmental benefits of FSC certification. Although not widespread at the time, Ivie saw the potential and by mid-2006 encouraged a handful of suppliers to gain certification and began discussions with many more. Over the next five years, FSC certification greatly increased in the print industry - Ivie placed nearly 500 projects for a single client with FSC certified supplier last year alone.
In addition to working with our clients on sustainability initiatives, Ivie has implemented operational measures to conserve power and recycle waste. In 2010, Ivie recycled approximately 21,000 lbs. of office paper with an estimated environmental savings of 180 trees, 42,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, 31,000 cubic yards of landfill space and 74,000 gallons of water. Other environmental efforts undertaken at our office headquarters include using renewable energy (20%), motion-sensitive lighting, and providing reusable drinking cups and reusable bags for employees.
Ivie takes sustainability and stewardship very seriously. As new developments and opportunities arise, Ivie remains committed to providing our clients with the information and tools necessary to make environmental responsible choices.
