Success Stories: Department of Printing (PRT): Washington’s State Printer Goes Beyond Recycling!
The Department of Printing (PRT) has a long tradition of applying the original “three R’s” of sustainability in providing printing and related products and services to Washington State government. For years the agency has focused on 1. reducing (using only what is needed), 2. reusing, and 3. recycling. PRT has also “greened” manufacturing processes by replacing petro-chemicals with agriculturally based inks and solvents.
As of October 2008, the agency is leading the state to an even higher level of environmental stewardship. PRT is proud to be the first state printer certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – going beyond the “three R’s of sustainability” to responsible resource management.
The FSC is a non profit organization that sets the world’s most comprehensive standards for responsible forestry. They ensure that certified forests are environmentally responsible and ensure the health and well-being of forest workers and their communities. This shifts the focus of sustainability to the entire product life cycle of our primary consumable – paper.
Printing continues to be an important tool for government to serve citizens. While recycling paper helps, it cannot eliminate the need to harvest trees. Paper fiber can only be recycled five to seven times before it wears out and needs to be replaced. Consumption of paper continues to grow beyond the amount of available recycled fiber. Trees are crops, a renewable resource. The important issue is not whether trees are being cut, but how and where they are cut, and how paper pulp is processed.
PRT recognizes that recycling is not enough. Now Washington State government can support sustainable forestry practices by ordering FSC printing and related products from PRT. The FSC focuses on the entire product life cycle (printers who use the FSC logo must have a “chain of custody” certificate that includes suppliers at all stages in the paper producing process). FSC certified paper is harvested from forests that are sustainably managed for the long term, ensuring the well-being of the forest ecosystem, the survival of biodiversity, and the protection of the habitat.
Find out how you can get the FSC symbol of good stewardship on your print jobs, and learn about other sustainable print and copy practices by calling (360) 570-5555 to be connected with your Customer Service Representative. PRT also invites you to call and schedule a plant tour – let us show you how we are good stewards of the earth. We’re not the State Printer you used to know. Call us and see!
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