The
Printers
-------
tckhowledgments
jooncilo
!aO?rinters_Projฎct is a partnership le<
eat
*^iปuiii-l"i.i.iillJปllliii.ii..g... '" 3 =iซ:=
the Environmental Defense
isGovernprs and ranting Industries of Amenca. This
'interested in a clean Great.
M^SCQSy^^^fflP^^^PS^g^Q^Tp^111^^ industry. -The last page of this document
s!eefmg^6upTana"have been actively
prOject. The 'project teams-would life to
this report.
pgnaf"andstateGreatPrlntersT^ject teams' wouldlike to thank the Great.
ces FrotecfforrPun? an'c
Snr^^gffrprPrinprs.lProjec.t. Additional support fgr the Environmental Defense
IQIIance* and 'Hie^reaTffiu^reT^roiect'coiiies"Trom fEe
ouriaation.
community, state, regi6naT,~ald national
lglงjoi.pfoTnoie polltition prevention ana sustainable communities in tne urear
-------
; :Aspaftners in the Great PMnters Project^ '
accomplishments jttfdafe and a renewed cbniniitmeht to continue our cpttabpratiori over the
next year.-/ '',,. "'.''.'.... .v . ; . "'....! ' . ' ' ' '-.' ., ."' ' ~ '. . '.'..':.
'"'* i ^^SU^^ฐfPro^
.highly efifoctiye, and productive > partnership environmental, industrial, and governmental
organizations, fthas ^shown the commitment of ^parties to a^leanGt^atLies ecosystem
:;ปซปW.ซซip^pn^indi^^
new, easy-to-use reporting system for printers that brings together virtuaUy aU itporting ''
obhgations nvtp^ single.coinputerized form. Even preliminary versions of this ^stenThave
.drastically cut the time Peters: must ;Spendcoi^leting regulatory paperwo^^^ li final /
version, to debut ซ^ ^Wisconsin later this year, will also guide them pn ways to reduce ~
pollution. Both the printer and the environment will benefit. . -; : - .
. , The new; reporting system is just prie:example x>f vdiat a weU-mana^ed multi- ^
.stakeholder collaboytion can produce. Over the next year pur organizations are committed
.to work together and with state partners to achieve the follpwing: : . : V ;;
* Enroll a minimum^ 125 printers, as Great Prinfers in eadh^of the four pilot slates; :
; Create marlfetsWOre^^
, .the QreatPnnters recommendations and wprkihg with others to lothe; same; '
ate a .^er-friendly,:pollution prevention reporting systemin allfour states;.ancl .'-
'
^
stakehplder teams.
! Fred Khipp, Executive Dtfeetpr
Envirphmental Defense Fund
Rpbert E. Murphy,
and Ghakman of the Bp
Industries of America
hie Printing
-------
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CC>1[JNGIL
-.'EVAN-BAYH - - ';.'. ' .;.
. Governor of Indiana .'.,-.'
ARIซJE'H, 'CARLSON ' '
Governor of Minnesota .'
JIM EDGAR' ;
. Governorof'Illinois , .".- '
. JOHNENGLER. . v
Governor of Michigan '.'.' .
GEORGE E.PATAKI " .
.Governor of'New York
THOMAS RIDGE"
' Governor of Pennsylvania
' TOMMY G,.fHOMI?SON <
Govemor.of Wisconsin. . ' .
GEORGE v.-yoiNoviGH :
Governor'bfOhio
CRISTENA BACH YEUTTER'
Executive Director ' '
'Fred Krupp, Executive Director,
Environmental Defense Fund
257 Park Avenue South
.New York, New York lOOlQ .
.]':'.'. JOHNENGLER, Chairman
August 5,199|6. '.''''
Robert Murphy, (^airman ' >;::/. . '. -': ''
Printing Industries of America ' ' , . :
.30,North31stAvenue . ~v'*;:}:'".(' ':'-- '- V:':' . '...'"""' " .-"'.'''','}.
Minneapolis; Minnesota 55411-1694 . .' '.'. ; ^.- < : V :; ; ' :,
Dear Messrs. Krupp and Mujphy: ' . ,: - . ',.'.':
J*, ..Thank you for yottt- pre.septations at: the Council of 6reat Lakes
-Governors'..'Annual Meeting. .':.-'."- .; ':.' . ' ''. .;..'" ' .
^ ;: The strength of the Great PrintersriProject is the partnership
between, the Council^ the. Printing Industries of America, the :
Enyironnle.htal Defense .Fund and .the stakeholders in rtur states. We:
appreciate your support and :commitnients to the Great Printers'
Project. . ; ;,' "';..-.'' ''.'-: -.. ";:;..--1.1 ' ," - : '>'': Jr. '- ':.''
'-.-:.;. ,-' A^ .Goveriiprs of pilot states;: for the Great Printers1 Project, we
.want to reaffirm bur commitment to .the project and reiterat^ our'
support for the. recommendations adopted at the annual, meeting: ;
; . Our goal is tp enroll 500 new Great Printe
. region By 1997; '
tersi;n the Great Lakes
. 1 foster great printing by reviewing our own printing
,'. -practicesto..determine if they are consistent with the Great . ,
V. \\ Printers' recommendations.:; :; ";./ ''.'.'.. \ - ''',/.'. ,":
' . : ..We are. working on creating a simplified, user-friendly reporting
:;;..,: system in each of bur states by: 1997; ; , ; . ; ': : . V
. ;Fiirthermore, we have invited the other Great Lakes states to :
;. ; .adopt the .Great Printers' principles and" establish -their, own :
;' -multi-stakeholder teams; . ; : : . ,
The. Great Printers' Project is a model for the environmental
managementSystems .of the future. We are pleased with bur -
accomplishments ,tb;date:and look forward to future successes X
rely,
Pommy ompsoh
Governor; of Wisconsin
John Engler
Governor of
ie H. Carlsbh: :
Governor of Minpesota
vwv
JimlEdgar
Governor ;6f Illinois^
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State Project Teams Leaders:
Illinois:
JoPattdn
Confer for Neighborhood Technology
Steve Heller, Executive Vice President
PrintinoJndustries of Indiana^rtHinois,
Mary Gade, Director .
Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency '
David Thomas, Director . . .-.
Illinois Hazardous Waste Research and
Information Center
Michigan:
Paul Zugger^CHirafEnviromental
Assistance Bivision
Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality
Carol Misseldine, Executive'Director
Michigan'Environmental Council
NicWagner,"
Printing Industries of Michigan
Minnesota:
JsaDoerr
Citizens for_a Better'Environrnent
Peder Larsj^TActing Commissioner
., Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Donna Peterson ,- " Kelvin John's^ft, President
Minnesota Technical Assistance Program ' Printing.Ihdustry of Minnesota, Inc.
Wisconsin:
LizWesSe1!
Citizens for a Better Environment :
N. Niall Power, Director Management Services
and Government Affairs , ' -.'
Printing Industries of Wisc9nsin
nes, Manager
[Graphics
-. " Wayne Pffefdehirt,.WastfiWReduction and
. ', Management Specialist - '
.:' .. . University of WI Extension/SHWEC .
George E. "Meyer, Secret
Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources
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UNITED STATES ENVIF^NMENTALfSROTECTIQNAdENCY
; ( r.i ;; .'< ': WASHINGTON, ti.C; 20460 ''"''.
JUL 181996
. ., . THE ADMINISTRATOR
. ';,;_ TWo years ago, on behalf of the U.S. Enviroimental Protection Agency, I endorsed the :
. recommendatiofls of the Great Printer^ Project to make pollution preventions standard business:
practice for the Great Lakes lithographic printing industry. Today's report demonstrates: that.-.'.'.'';
EPA is delivering on its promise to work in partnership with'states,; industry, and environmental
gro.upstomake that yision.a reality. " .-' ; :^ :.' ' "-;',_'; '';-;. ..' / : .:; :
With the help of EPA staff and over $ 1.2. million 'in Federal fundingj the new Printer s.' ,
National.Environmental Assistance Center:is now operating and;one-stdp environmental ;
reporting initiatives have been launched hi. all four Great Printers Project pilot states.:,By
providing access to much-needed technicai assistance and helping printers comply;with ::
regulations more efficiently and co.stref|ectivei^
envrrdnmental protection and a grpwing ecohomy go hand in hand. '-.; . . ,
, . The Great Printers Project is just one way.EPA is working with its-partners to reinvent
,:the system of enyironhienM regulation ^-mow
stre.arhlining.the means by which we guarantee public health-ancl environmental protection.
These changes are reaping benefits for business,, strengthening environmental and public health '
..protection,' and achieving real results for commumtiesacrossthecountry. ^ ; .
,; I am pleased to be a part of this endeavor^ and look forward to the day when every printer
in the Nation is a Great Printer. <; : ,.' '.' ,'.'''" / / : . ; ^ "; ^ -
Recycled/Recyclable .
. Printed with Soy/Canoli Ink on paper that
contain* at least 50% recycled flbw
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL
DEFENSE FUND
COUNCIL OF
GREAT LAKES
GOVERNORS
-------
1
Why Become a Great Printer?'
Benefits to Becoming a Great Printer
Information on how'to cut costs and wastes'..
Assistance is available.via the InterNet,
through special workshops, videos, and :.
'...Other sources for printers to learn/from other
prutters and printing experts about cost- ; :
effective improvements. . : . ..
Potential for expande'd customer base; Great
Printers will be included on a list that will be
shared with print buyers in the Great Lakes" .
regioU'In addition. Great Printers will .'.:'
; receive ai letter of corhmendation from their ' :
Governor. . '.'' ' v/:u !'. ;:;' ' -.'.-.'.: ; '
User-friendly reporting forms that
consolidate and simplify regulatory :
requirements; A new.reportmg system is
:beihg; developed that will help printers
readily understand and meet their '
compliance obligations and identify .' .
pollution prevention opportunities. : ,:' ' ,
Great Printers Responsijbilifies
Adopt me Great-Printers Principles, which
' are to: ; -, ;:' ;;-, 1;''.'". ..''' "'
: comply with. applicable environmental,
. :heaith and safety laws.; : ' ' ' : . .
go beyond compliance by employing the
:-.-. rjaqst environmetttally sound practices
- v . .consistent with the following ,"- '.-;= .
v management principles: . . ; - ;"; ' .
1) .maximize reduction.of waste
.;',:.' ;; at .the source.' ..',.':
: , :2). ; reuse or recycle Waste that :
; canhot be prevented .,;
'; .3) , . maximize .energy efficiency
'-.-:. ::../-:. 'in the print shop , ''.':.
* . seek,to ;eontinuously.improve oiti . " .
environmental performance through
;. -periodic assessments'of .operations, . .'.''.-.
' materials, and products, and by drawing.
oh informa'tiori .and ideas from. . '';
4 "employees, print buyers, suppliers, and .
;. " ^neighbors, \ ';:,.. "'; '.'-'''."'.'.
1 -.'*'."" '*"',' . " '.'.". - , f. f
.iVIeasure and report on. progress.;' State pilot;
teams' are developing methods to evaluate
GreatPrinters progressJnpreventing ..-._
-pollution.. ....;,.:,;.-.' / ... '.:'.';.; '. ; ,:
7
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Making the Vision a Reality
p[>pn$iig'is, an ^JSiipprfant In
One-third of the national printing industry
is concentrated in the eight Great Lakes
"States: r"- ' ! '~ " ; " '' 7""""""
r * i* \ J \
'|4tihographic printers in the Great Lakes
jงtates employ more than 340,000 people
*arid add $35.4 billion in gross sales to the
Great Lakes economy.
The printing industry is comprised mostly
of small businesses, with over 80% of print
"shops employing fewer than 20 people.
In July of 1994, a coalition of groups
involved in the Great Printers Project
released a series of consensus ..'.''.
recommendations for establishing pollution
prevention as the standard business practice
in the lithographic printing industry. The
recommendation's challenged every
participant in the printing-process
printers, print buyers, suppliers,
distributors, government regulators,'and;
technical assistance organizations -- to
proactively consider the environmental
impacts of printing operations and to work
with printers to protect the environment.
Sjnce that time, implementation'activities
have been under way in four pilot states.'
with demonstrated records as innovators: .. :
Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The implementation effort has been a
collaboration of groups initially involved in crafting the Great Printers Project recommendations,
as well as government, envkonrhental, industry,, and technical assistance partners in each of the
four pilot states. The US Envuronmental Protection Agency has strongly endorsed and supported
tlie Great Printers Project since .its inception in 1993. ' . ' - .', ,. . .
The Great Printers Project focuses on supporting print shops committed to furthering "Great
Printers principles" through special enrollment programs. Key components of these programs :
include: - , ..,''.';: ' -''.':.'.''. '- :.." :. ' .'.''','.
generating customer demand,tO create a market for environmentally-''superior printing;*
' improving access to technology and[financial resources for printers; and,
simplifying governmental requirements so' that printers 'can readily understand, meet and
exceed their environmental obligations- primarily through pollution prevention.
-------
Collaborative Efforts Yield Real Results
i " '
Working, together on the common goals of environmental protection and economic^ strength, the
Collaboration of groups involved in the-Great Printers Project has made real progress in the following
Creating the Demand for Great Printing:
x. The state teams in Michigan and Wisconsin launched efforts to enroll printers as Great
Printers.
/ . - Minnesota assembled a Blue Ribbon panel of buyers to develop a 1997 marketing strategy,
-J aimed at print buyers.
Sharing the Latest Information
US EPA" created the Printers National Environmental Assistance Center (PNEAC) to provide
a central source of accurate and-current environmental compliance and pollution prevention
information for the printing industry,.
PNEAC created Internet e-mail listserys to enable technical assistance providers and trade
L --*- associations, to work'cqllaboratively to addressing compliance and pollution prevention
questions from printers
^ PNEAC,created a World Wide Web site on the Internet to efficiently share information with
-printers and the organizations that serve them.
^ U. of Wisconsin-SHWEC held the first international "Green and Profitable Printing" Video
Conference, reaching 1800 participants to 30 states and Canada",
Government Efforts to CutRed Tape
EDF and a team of Harvard students developed a'prototype consolidated reporting system
thatjs simplified, user-friendly, and helps printers understand the environmental impact of
-their print shop by identifying pollution prevention opportunities,
Wisconsin distributed electronic versions of its air and hazardous waste reporting forms to
businesses across the state. The forms contain information from the previous year, enabling
businesses to review their past environmental reporting activities. '
Illinois EPA initiated its "Clean Break" program to simplify the process for Illinois
businesses to come into compliance. The printing industry was one of the first industries
targeted in this program.
Model Partnership
^- The Great Printers Project's multi-stakeholder, consensus process has been a model for
sj-fe:. rlMnilaf efforts,nationaUy and internationally.
/" The Great Printers Project seeks to recruit more Great Lakes jstate to adopt the Great Printers
Principles and start their own multi-stakeholder teams.
-------
Let's Talk: Creating^ the Demand for Great Printing . :
Asking printers to learn about the environmental impacts of their: shop operations and pollution
; . , ' - "prevention opportunities is, only the.firststep/' : "
toward integrating environmental stewardship into
'the lithographic printing industry., As with many
'businesses, printers 'respond to customer demands,
which often influence .the environmental impact of
the print job. ' , '.. . ;
S your printer a Great iPrinter?
"Just Ask!
'rint buyers can help the environment
working with printers to .minimize
environmental impacts of the jobs
i,ey request. Make it a point to find out
'.your printer is a Great Printer. .Mere
ซ;0"m"g questions to ask: , .
Can the job be printed with" Ink that
has minimal volatile .organic
content or with, recycled
: ~Can'" the j op Be jproouceH with ink
1 ffiaTHpes not'contaiihi ggavy jjg^s1)
ป Does the printer try to minimize ink
waste Or recycle ink?
Can the job be designed to use less
paper? (Examples: ^Two-sided
printing, use of single spacing and
reduced borders)
How bright must the paper be? Can
a lo\ycr brightness be used to avoid
Unnecessary paper bleaching?
?'" Can the job be prinfe3 on recycleid
paper and .cover stock containing
post-consumer fiber?
" 'lie job avoid "unnecessary
pf''glossiness or; coatings , that .may
make it difficult to recycle?
Is the printed product' easily
To create a demand for Great Printing,; the Great
Printers Project recommended that print buyers
work in partnership with printers to specify their
' requirements in ways that produce .quality print
jobs that do not compromise the environment.
Two..of the four pilot'state teams --Michigan and
Wisconsin have recently launched campaigns to.
enroll printers committed to the Great Printing
Principles and to encourage customers to buy
"Great Printing:" Similar efforts are underway,in"
Illinois and Minnesota. Minnesota has .established
: a Blue Ribbon panel of print buyers to advise the
state on the best ways to spread the word about
, Great Printing. Illinois and Minnesota expect-to
begin signing up Great Printers bytheJFall of .; ..
'1996,. By the Summer'of 1997, each pilot project
expects to enroll at least 125 Great Printers, so, that
the Great Lakes region will have at least 500 Great
- Printers by next year.'. ; ' . :, ' '.
Efforts to enroll Great Printers are designed to , .
, show consumers that the Oreat Printers Proj ect
.emphasizes genuine pollution prevention as the .
means-by which'.to. "achieve environmentally sound
economic growth the Great Printers Project is
- not just another "green gimmick." For-example,
, Michigan's.enrollment effort encourages those
. . , ". printers .who register as Great Printers to commit
to select and focus on at least^three activities to demonstrate a commitment to pollution
prevention. These strategies are included in a document developed by the Michigan pilot .team.
to help printers identify pollution prevention-options.... .; .
In order to effect lasting change in the industry, the Great Printers Project is designed to be more
than just a one time.sign-up effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, .for. example, Great Printers are
asked to work with the state project team to summarize their efforts brie year after sign-ftp. .
10
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:'-:' The four state pilot teams -are:emphasizing the importance df environmental stewardship"across:
the Great Lakes region by promoting Great Printing in: state buyers' guides. These guides'are ; , :' ';
/ sent to thousands/of print customers each year. .;..... . . ':;'.- .''' . . > '
. Moreover, these;activities are not just aimed, at the private .sector^ ,-.
':. where their mouth is. For example, the state of Wisconsin is exploring ways t6 use its " ;.
. considerable buying power to foster the adoption of Great.Printing Principles by designing their ''.';.:''
'/-print jobs so that there is mininial impact on the environment, and:by contracting ourstate /.-.-.
./printing jobs to.be consistent with the Great jPrinfers recommendations. .National environmental
groups .alsp.arepresehtry working;.to> incorporate:the Great Printers recommendations into: the '. ; - .
design, and purchase:of:jprinting services. ' ,> ."';-.' ... : ^ : .'-':' ./ -:?''.''*';':''', ".'; ">'_''..'y :-;::';' -v
these accpmplishtnents.emphasize the"fact that environmental .protection respohsibilitiesgo
, beyond companies andjegulatofs. Customers must facto^envirohrnental. concerns .into the:, . - 'T ..
,' design of the. printed product and ask thoughtful questions in.order for printers to be responsive :
.:' . [see. box "o;h page ^.".Likewise, printers must.be willing to ''work With/customers^ to provide ;,. .:. .
relevant information on^heif shop'si eftyiroriniental. performance'arid progress m^ : .
, preventing pollution. '^'. .'.',-".. ".' .-:-.-'--: .'.-...,'' ,./: "".;' --'v .;":'..-.;'.: -.v-7,--.'" ;:'--, V.. '.''''".' '' '':'..;:
Printers Helping Printers: Sharing the Latest-Information ;, : v^ ^
Printing is. an industry largely dominated by small businesses.-- the'average print shop employs "'.' ;.
.less than 20 people. Even me. most prbgressive.small businesses'tend to keep'their eyes first and ' /'
1 forerhbst on production,^costs, and the bottom line, rather than;on;overali environmeicital .." ;' '_.';;, .
perfprrnariee.;' The Great Printers Project recognized that a critical step toward integrating . . . ;
poUution prevention into the printing process m^ ;
financial assistance,-arid regulatory requirement .
-..- The Printers National Environmental Assistance. Center .: ' v '/,'.' '"'"i ' i/: ''. ' :;..:';:: '."'"'
in-1994; the Great Printers Projectreeominended that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
(EPA) establish a national resource; center to;provide^reliable, up-to-dafe' inforniation'specifieally . ' '!;
on the printing industry. The centerwould -be- used by .organ;teatibns and individuals that provide ':"/:'...
business assistance fo printers and'wouid: : ;' "-".-. ; v' " '.'" -'."",'-'.''.''.''.' ':::-. \ '-". "-'' '."' .:'-
.'; .respond to calls frombusiness, assistance providers for information; ' ' , ',-,'" ', ,.
. ' provide information on printers' regulatory requirements; '. . ^ V ' ;. ; "\ ; ;
_;. have, a prpcess to keep current on new technology ;
' costs, savings, and enyiro'nrnqntal benefits of new technologies;: ./ , ; . .: . :
'._ซ. identify research -and development needs for the printing industry; :;:;,'. ; ซ:. '; ;' . ;'
'. foister information exchange among service providers and enable peer-to-peer'uetv^orking; ; . ~ ": ;
;>. .dissenuhate-releyanVpubiished.m ' ':/' ' '" ''''' ''";'::': V '''.-.'" ': '".""''.';:'; ' ' ':;.';'-
f. train business assistance providers on. pollutio^ opportunities in printing; and
continually evaluate its. own usefulness. ; . .. :' .- ; . -' ' ';;;;- . ;"':...."'"- '' ' ' '"''. :"'v'-.''.
11 -..
-------
With over .$500,000 in'funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Printers National
Environmental Assistance Center (PNEAC) was launched in 1995, fulfilling a commitment by
EPA, Administrator Carol Browner and President Clinton to establish small business compliance
assistance centers. In addition to EPA, PNEAC Partners include the Illinois Hazardous Waste
Research and Information Center (HWRIC); the University of Wisconsin Solid and Hazardous
Waste Education Center (SHWEC); the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF); Printing Industries
of America (PIA); the COuncil'of.Great Lakes Governors; and the Graphic Arts Technical
Foundation (GATF).1 '' v ' '; . "..'' .',.'" '-. ".';
Via the^terriet; The
Printers National Environmental
- Assistence Center '
K host of information on environmental
sues and pollution prevention
home page. In addition, several listservs
^provide an important e-mail, communication
Sofum forpririters wishing to share or solicit
Qfl teSel _ ^
^
Check us out on the Internet:
This state-of-the:art "yirtuaT5 center is a ;
unique partnership electronically Unking
pollution prevention technical assistance :
'organizations and printing trade
organizations, to efficiently provide the most
current and complete compliance assistance
and pollution prevention information to the
industry. The center is'designed to ,.
complement not replace existing service
provider?. In addition, PNEAC's users .
include printers' and print'industry vendors.
With two listservs, "Printech" and',.
"Printreg", PNEAC allows industry experts,
technical assistance-providers, and others to '
exchange the latest technical and regulatory
information with one another.
To ensure, that PNEAC is providing the kind
'of service and information that printers really
need, EPA has conducted a number of focus'
groups to clarify industry needs. PNEAC, in
cooperation witji EPA, is also developing a
long-term strategic plan for the center's
continued development, ' , :
The center is already disseminating pollution.
prevention and .environmental compliance .
information to thousands 'of users. OnMay ' . '
17,1996 the first international Green andi Profitable JPrinting Videoconfereirice was broadcast
to approximately 175 downlinked sites in the US and Canada. Tota.1 attendance was V .
: approximately 1800. The University of Wisconsin's Solid and Hazardous Waste-.Education
[PNEAC Home Page:
]PA's
Homepage ;bn Priritiijg:
'guide/print/printhtm
Listservs:
i "Printech--P2 technical issues
ftPrintre^-l^egujaiory issues
^o subscribe, conilct Wayne Pferdehirt
:6d8/265-23'6l or pferdehi@epd.engr.wisc.edu
l A number of other organizations, including the National Pollution Prevention
Roundtable; Clean Air Aqt Small Business Assistance Program's; Small Business ! .
Development Centers; the Center for Hazardous Materials Research; the Flexographic
Technical Foundation; the'Gravure Association of America; and the Screenprinting and
Graphic Imaging Association were also involved in establishing PNEAC. '.
12
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- Center;prpduced theyidepcpnferenee,on behalf of PIffiACincpllab6rati6n;with the? Graphic
Arts Technical Foundation. The national broadcast.focused on.explaining environmental" '
compliance issues-and strategies forLsmaller^^ lithographic jprint shops. Iri addition, yideo excerpts
from. SHWEC's'"Green .and'-.Profitable Printing" videotajpe training series were included to show
how sofrie printers' are already using waste prevention to reduce costs, improve ^quality and
protect the environment. The videoconference provided three live question and answer sessions
with panelists from PIA state affiliates, environmental consultants, EPA, Wisconsin DNR,
GATF, and SHWEC. The course notebook accompanying the videoconference provided
attendees resource materials for training and technical assistance.
Wisconsin used the state-specific segment of the Green and Profitable Printing Videoconference
as a forum for inviting printers to sign up to be Great Printers.
*!Tbis project provides the opportunity for
businesses in the Great Lakes area to become leaders
"*ป & ^ TS.:g?ปsrr % 5-ป f lm!r, f r - v r */** --wj,, * - -~ ^"-v
-inboth protecting the^nvironment and improving
productivity and competitiveness."
"i J .
-Governor Tommy Thompson Wisconsin
Cutting the Red Tape: Government Efforts to Make Environmental Excellence Easier to
Achieve
In 1994 the Great Printers Project recommended that government regulators develop simplified
regulatory requirements so that'fee;pririter'cari':re^ly;understand^.meeta]rid exceed his: or, her ;
environmental: obligations. Sincethen, three pilot -states tiave:been-innovators by.making
'. tremendous strides in simplifying regulatory requirements, applicable to the printing industry.
On behalf of the Great Pjinters;Prpject,;E]DF and a^eam Harvard graduatestudents,analyzed .; '
reporting .requirements for Wisconsin printers,and developed a prototype consolidated reporting
system, the Printers' Environmental Compiiahce;Assistant, This.system ig. simplified, user-
friendly, and helps printers understand the environmental impact 'of their print shops by. . .
identifying pollutipn prevention ppportunities. The effort cbmplemented ;efforts"al,ready ; ::.; .
underway in Wisconsin to create a one-stop erivironment'ai reporting system for Wisconsin
busihess^s, .and demonstrated the use of electronic prompts to provide-infprmation oh technical.
assistance and ppliution prevention opportunities:; / : , ' . ; :,. '. : .
-13.
-------
Wisconsin's One Stop'Reporting System for Printers . .
The'state of Wisconsin is in the process of, re-tooling its reporting system to achieve the goals set
forth in the'Great Printers Project recommendations; The state has been working closely with
EPA to identify and address barriers-to consolidated reporting. Wisconsin DNR will consolidate
its multiple air, hazardous .waste, 'and Toxic Release Inventory reporting forms into one simple
' electronic format,t6be sent to all Wisconsin.businesses in December 1996 - capturing over 90%
of the information printers are required to.submit to the state annually. In addition, Wisconsin ..
' printers will receive an enhanced version of the system that includes information on technical ,
assistance and pollution prevention opportunities -- thus taking advantage of; the "teachable
moment" when printers are most aware of their regulatory obligations, and are open to receiving ,
. information on ways to minimize the environmental impacts of their shop operations. Already
printers are experiencing timesavings as a.result of preliminary, changes. One large printer in
Wisconsin stated'that he had cut the number of days to complete his reporting paperwork "from,:
30, days under the old system to one day with-the new method: Additional savings are expected "
as the full system.is implemented. ' . . '.',' ' . . ,: , . . . ".'..'
Illinois'Compliance Plus Manual for Lithographic Printers "".'."'.' ; ' : ,
Recognizing that smallbusinesses often do not have the necessary resources tp sift through ..."
. thousands of pages of regulationsi.to determine their environmental compliance and-reporting .
obligations, the Great Printers Project pilot team in the .state of Illinois is working, closely .with .
the Printing Industries of Illinois and Indiana to develop a consolidated and simplified permitting
assistance in trie form of the Compliance Plus Manual for Lithographic Printers. The manual
will compile state and' Federal envkonmental,. health and safety regulatory requirements
applicable to Illinois printers in one easy-to-understand notebook format manual. The manual
also1 will include a generic operating permit (being developed jouitiy.by staff'with R,R.
Donnelley,and Sons, Co. and Illinois EPA) which will make it easier for lithographic printers to
complete'permit paperwork. The Compliance .Plus manual will be printed and distributed to'
Illinois printers in the Fall of-1996. " . : .,- . '." :'.-'''. '
Minnesota's Consolidated Reporting Activities' < " '
The .state of Minnesota is also actively planning to consolidate its various reporting requirements
into one simple form. Minnesota is holding 'focus groups with print:ers, and others to identify
what types of information would be most useful for a variety of interested parties (state, federal,
environmental, industry) and to evaluate the usefulness of information currently being collected.
Once the state determines information needs,, it will .begin the task of evaluating whether' .. ".-;
additional information should be collected or whether existing reporting requirements should be
modified to eliminate collection of informatiqn.that is no/longer useful. . , . )
Illinois EPA's Clean Break Program . '' . : . ; , . . ,'
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has.also launched its. "Clean Break" program, aimed at
bringing small' businesses, previously outside the regulatory system, into the system by offering
them amnesty from enforcement, provided the business 'enrolls in the program, received
pollution prevention technical assistance, advice, and commits to come into compliance with'..
applicable environmental, health and safety laws. When the. program .was expanded statewide,
the printing industry" was one of the first two sectors ^included. ; ;-..'
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Printers that want to comply with the law often cannot because,
they simply^ do not know the environment, health and safety]
requirements, to which they are subject, Wisconsin is
consolidating its multiple environmental reporting forms into a
-single form that mil capture over 90% of the information that
/rmters are required to report to the state annually. And Illinois
Ts *deveToping a compliance assistance manual to help printers
-*~ "St^Awf* jjp v- /t ซ ? 1.1 j
'ersiand their environmental, safety and health obligations.
US EPA Small Business Assistance Initiatives
Several recently-developed EPA programs promote environmental compliance among small
businesses, including printers, by providing technical and compliance assistance to small
businesses. In some cases,"the Great Printers Project influenced these programs; in other cases,
the Great Printers project drew inspiration from Federal small business assistance programs.
These include the:
Clean Air Act ง507 Policy which provides breaksnamely waivers of enforcement penalties-
-to companies that seek compliance assistance and promptly correct violations;
Small Business Compliance Incentives Policy which extends the ง507 policy to other
- environmental media and to companies that conduct environmental evaluations; and
. Common Sense Initiative.' s project with small printers in New York City which is exploring
various non-regulatory avenues to encourage small printers to improve their environmental
performance.
Next Steps: Challenges for 1997
The Great Printers Project teams have established the following implementation milestones for
1997. We commit to: ' ,
\ ป t
Enroll 500 new Great Printers in the Great Lakes region by 1997. The goal of Illinois,
Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin is to each enroll at least 125 Great'Printers by July 1997.
Use our buying power to foster Great Printing. The pilot states pledge to revise the design of
printed materials as well as ensure that our own printing practices, including in-house and
contracted printing, are consistent with the Great Printers recommendations. National
environmental groups are presently working to incorporate the Great Printers recommendations
into the design and purchase of printing services. We challenge others to do the same.
Make simplified reporting a reality in each pilot state by 1997. The goal of Illinois,
Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin is to each develop and implement a simplified reporting
system to allow printers to readily understand, meet and exceed their environmental obligations.
Recruit more Great Lakes states to adopt the Great Printers Principles and start their own
multi-stakeholder teams. We pledge to work with the governors from Pennsylvania, Ohio,
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New York, and Indiana to establish Great Printing.throughout the Great Lakes region and to
encourage the'formation'of Great.Printers Project teams with-.representatives from industry,-
environmental groups,, technical assistance providers, and regulators to implement the Great
Printers Principles. / ','.' . . .;. [;. :
ndiviuals:
tpig Industries of America
T c753j$iฃSfi58 : "
Carol Address or',
ency;
;"1 53ani|c^^ " "
IB Prevention Policv Staff (1
Inois
,,|!^ ...... r,|p ........ ^ 1,1^!,,,,,^ ,,,, ^iv.,^ ,,ซ |,,,| ;,,., v, , , ,| ,^ >,, ,,< ,,ป,,ij ,,,hli ft!
. ^gjler lor ^-jggijpj^g^ "Jo Patton"(:
fllimoisEPA: Tom^Wallin/(2i7) 785-8387 or peter Wise (217)7^87 ,'" ' ,'.
t I" nniniiiiiiiiiiiiiii il in mini minimi inn ini nn i ป ni'iiiiiiiiii mini niininnnnninnniniiinnn ill1 niiniiiiiiriiiiiinii iniiiinii lii iinirliiiliiiiiiliniiinniiiniTiiiinniniliin mi i Inirpinnninnnnniniiiinllinniillniiipii In Ill iiinn il linn !l Iliihiln! Silipiiinii Inlni [niiiinUninllN li.3niil.!liilnliilii.' SiV i 'H'ri .* n.' '', , 'i. '' *' '' ' fy","1- ', " '" r ' "t,.
' yllisis, Ss^f^us Sssig Ssissssl,.ปIsssssSiSS Hssl6,, ilss.'lis^L2il2)' ^^~^^, &,',
'Spa5 Her (5l7) 3|3-p42 """" ! "" """" " 3 !" " "^TT^^, ^1^^, !''"*,' ' '"l>:
IlJting Industries of Indiana "& Illinois:,' Eva ;JCim, ,(^i3fe?Kll..."':,ป',:!!. ' " !...'. I'!..'".....
Jgan,,
nita
igan&^ I
, ....... IQr ..... a ...... Bet|;er ...... Environment:
MiiMMfAJIIIiiltl^iliiiW
im ..... Peterson .....
.^ar'a Better Environment: Liz essel
. . ' I Illlll Illll "( I jll I loll 11 lUillllUi 11 III III** I I "IIII 1.11 I' ปj^h)Ji(i juiiailllSsaiM :i! I IB? i iBi'-sfl" 1 wrrii-r:']! R
igcpjisjn Department of Natural Resources: Lynda Wiese (608) 267-9700, ;
QeSSBlBaui , , xvTyj ' ป' ' xV -xf'.Ji 'rป_..' tfi A\ nac nffK'Kf f v' ' ^"""'" ซ'*"'',"-'<'<<>' v ""'
fnaustries" of Wisconsin: iSf. "Niall Power (414) 785-1
Pniversity of WisconsinExtension:' Wayne Pferdehirt (608) 26>^-^3'
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)EFENSEJFUND
la tional Headquarters.
iital Office
re7gCoQQecticutAve.._NW
ton_Dg_.2pog.9_.
2-387-3500
ge AveniKL
"JQakland. CA 94618'
Mountain Offlce-
pahoe Avenuev
iQUlder. CQ 80302 '
78701
glNGfNDUrRIES QF AMERICA
oad
fifexandria:, Virginia 22314
>UNCIL OF GflEATLAKES GOVERNORS
!. Iff
SO
I [ill.
SnicagQ. [rnnois, 6Q601;,
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