Quad/Graphics Extends Green Efforts

-- Graphic Arts Online, 1/9/2008 9:09:00 AM

Quad/Graphics registered all 10 of its core U.S. printing plants for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, putting the firm on target to be the first printer of its size to have all its major manufacturing sites designated as green buildings.

LEED is a voluntary green building rating system that provides measurable benchmarks for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. The system was developed by the council, a non-profit organization committed to promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable building practices.

To gain LEED certification for each facility, Quad must meet certain criteria in five different areas: sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resource selection, and indoor environmental quality. The company intends to have its Sussex, WI., headquarters certified in 2008 and all remaining plants certified thereafter.

"Quad/Graphics has always been committed to doing business in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way, and we already meet many of the criteria necessary for LEED certification," says Joel Quadracci, president and CEO. "Through LEED, we'll verify through an independent third party that our buildings and facilities operate as green as possible.”

Already Quad/Graphics supports a comprehensive recycling program, recycling 98.5% of all waste leaving its plants, including paper, fluorescent lamps, co-mingled containers, metal, plastic, wood and concrete. The company actively promotes carpooling and subsidizes a bus route from Milwaukee to its suburban Sussex and Pewaukee plants.

The company will also implement additional green practices and processes, including more robust energy and water management systems that build on its existing success.

In October 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented Quad with an Environmental Excellence Award for its participation in the SmartWaySM Transport Partnership.For more

Quad’s environmental efforts were recently highlighted in the December issue of Graphic Arts Monthly. 

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