Inkjet & Digital Printing

AlphaGraphics Announces Network-Wide FSC Certification Initiative

Wednesday 09. February 2011 - Business centers focus on environmentally-friendly marketing communications and print solutions

In support of their environmentally-responsible approach to business, AlphaGraphics has kicked off the New Year with a new network-wide initiative requiring all of their franchisees to obtain Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. The new eco-friendly policy makes AlphaGraphics the only business in the marketing communications and print provider industry to require system-wide FSC certification of all its business centers.
The FSC is a non-profit organization that encourages responsible management of the world’s forests. The FSC logo on paper indicates that it comes from sources that employ legal and responsible wood harvesting and processing methods. FSC certification requires a rigorous review and control process to ensure that the papers sold and used by local AlphaGraphics business centers come from eco-responsible sources. This vigilance helps limit the impact that each center’s business practices and customers’ projects will have on the environment.
Currently, each individual AlphaGraphics business center either holds or is working toward receiving their Chain of Custody (COC) certification, which indicates that the business has quality systems in place to track FSC-certified material from the forest, throughout the production process and, ultimately, to the consumer.
“Prior to January 1, business centers were encouraged, but not required, to obtain this certification. But, the nature of our business means that each center can have, potentially, a huge impact on the environment,” said Kevin Cushing, CEO of AlphaGraphics, Inc. “We are pleased that all of our centers fully support AlphaGraphics’ commitment as a company in helping to control that impact.”
The Nature Conservancy set a goal to have 300 million acres of forest FSC-certified around the world by 2010, much of it in tropical countries. Through initiatives like this, FSC’s efforts, and the efforts of similar organizations, are having a global impact on forest conservation and the environment.
“I am proud of AlphaGraphics’ affiliation with the FSC, and pleased to be able to support the green initiatives of our customers,” said Cushing. “This is the right thing to do and the right time to do it, and we are sure that our customers will recognize the value of this certification, too.”
AlphaGraphics offers solutions for design; digital, offset and large-format printing; marketing communications; promotional products; digital archiving; and mailing services for small- to medium-sized businesses as well as corporate entities