THE RESPONSIBILITY OF GREEN

As Kermit the Frog so aptly described the responsibilities of his spot on the color wheel…”It’s not easy being green…”

That statement could apply to the printing industry. Even if you are not aware of the details of the print process, you just know that there are chemical issues involved. After all, printing includes such components as inks, solvents, and coatings just to name a few. Some of these components actually end up on the paper; others are involved in plate-making and the cleaning of presses and related equipment. Related processes like paper bleaching, binding with glues, embossing with foil and packing in plastic bags further complicate the picture.

So what’s green and not-so-green in the Printing Industry? In this age of heightened awareness, it is important to note that there is NO standard or certification for what makes a printer—or an individual project—green. Some printers rely on conventional techniques of utilizing recycled paper and/or soy-based inks. We have made a long-term commitment to implementing and sustaining green initiatives throughout our operations.

At Hogue Printing, we can point with pride to the following:
 

• Our pre-press department is now completely digital, eliminating all hazardous waste from this department.
• We are working daily to implement VOC improvements in our pressroom through the increased use of soy-based ink products and the elimination of alcohol.
• Hogue proudly recycles 95% of our waste, with aggressive goals to improve this performance.
• Our Packaging Division use of 100% recycled board …..
• We currently meet ADEQ and EPA requirements for businesses.
• Our employees are empowered to continually search for supplies and processes that can enhance our products and sustain our green initiatives.
• Hogue employees are continually encouraged to adopt alternative transportation methods.
   

Sustaining and improving our environment for future generations is a worthy goal that every industry and its employees must support. Every employee at Hogue printing, from executives to technicians, artists and production crews, is committed to doing our part to improve our role in keeping our environment safe for those who will follow us.