PFFC - September 2007 - (Page 45)

GREEN CONVERTING sustainable operations, you look at the entire triple bottom line, not just two parts of it.” Companies that have already gone global or are thinking about it surely should embrace sustainable development, says Bernardo. He notes that in America, compliance with environmental regulations is a basic requirement of doing business today. In the global arena, embracing and implementing sustainable development concepts is expected “if a business is to stay competitive and be looked favorably upon by shareholders, customers, and the media.” He also encourages companies to view good “environmental citizenship” as an opportunity to improve internal efficiencies in the following ways: u Incorporating sustainable (green) building practices into new plants and plant remodeling projects; u Using renewable, lowpolluting sources, such as wind power, whenever possible; u Partnering with communities to develop and support local sustainability efforts, such as composting; u Supporting mass transit; u Driving waste out of the business. “When you throw something in the garbage can, you’re making the business pay to get rid of it,” notes Bernardo. “Waste hauling and landfill fees are an expense to your company. You have to train your workers to see what they’ve got on their hands. It’s there because your company paid to have it brought in; do you want to pay a second time to get it out? That’s not efficient at all. If you can divert that to recycling or reuse, you can save your company money. And, by the way, you’re saving the environment as well.” Part of that effort should involve both converters and end-users working with suppliers of raw materials such as corrugated boxes to make sure they are recyclable at both the plant and consumer level, says Bernardo. Paraffin wax, for example, provides excellent product protection, but 80% of that wax is imported and increases petroleum use in shipment. Acrylic and naturally based alternatives can save both money and the environment, he says. Finally, he adds, companies should promote their sustainable operating efforts to customers, shareholders, regulatory agencies, and employees through Social Responsibility Reports and other efforts to enhance their public image. This will be even more important as the emphasis on “going green” continues to grow in importance to consumers— and consequently to the bottom line. “Companies are saying, ‘We’re not going to wait for some social group to say what we’re doing; we’ll tell you ourselves. We’re going to make it a positive for our company,’” explains Bernardo. “Market your efforts, because that’s all part of the competitive process.” uSupplier Infot uSustainable Innovations | www.sustaininnovations.com PFFC-ASAP 302 Improv Adhesion …with an “e” And enjoy stronger bonds with your customer. Improving your coating and laminating adhesion strengthens bonds and promotes faster production speeds. Optimize your adhesion recipe with Enercon’s corona, flame, ozone and atmospheric plasma treatment expertise. See us at the K Show at Hall 10 G48. See us at CPP at booth # C-3129. Technology. Expertise. Service. Personnel. Fax: 262-255-7784 info@enerconind.com SEPTEMBER 2007 | 45 The Power of www.enerconind.com/treating WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM Tel: 262-255-6070 PFFC-ASAP 125 http://www.sustaininnovations.com http://www.enerconind.com/treating http://www.enerconind.com/treating http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - September 2007

Table of Contents First Glance From the Editor Calendar of Events Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label What’s New Products Narrow Web Sustainability: Going Green? What's the Score with Wal-Mart's Scorecard? Straight Talk From Your Trade Associations Learn 5 Key Elements to Creating Cost-Effective and Eco-Conscious Packaging Install Energy-Efficient Light Fixtures and Reap the Environmental Benefits People, Profit, Planet: How to Balance the Impact of a Triple-bottom-line Philosophy Show Preview What’s New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Equipment Buyers & Sellers Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - September 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.