Sustainability
PRINTING United Alliance recognizes that today’s global marketplace requires companies to address the needs of the environmental, social, and economic systems in which they operate, as well as the strong consumer demand for more sustainable products. A business strategy focusing on sustainability can add brand value, meet customer demands, increase efficiency, reduce costs, attract valuable talent, improve your environmental footprint, and create new business opportunities. The printing industry is committed to responsibly providing for future generations. Join us on the journey.
Gary A. Jones is the Vice President of Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance. His primary responsibility is to monitor and analyze EHS and sustainability related legislative and regulatory activities at the federal and state levels, including some international actions. He provides representation on behalf of the printing, packaging, and graphic arts industry. Mr. Jones works closely with the federal and state-level Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and other agencies. He also provides membership assistance on EHS compliance and sustainability programs through a variety of approaches including responding to inquiries, presentations, writing, and consulting services.
Mr. Jones is also supporting PRINTING United Alliance’s efforts for the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP). SGP is dedicated to assisting printing operations respond to customer demands for sustainable printing.
He holds a BS in biology from LaRoche College and an MS in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.
Speaking Topics:
- EPA and OSHA compliance topics for the printing industry
- Sustainability trends, impacts, and compliance requirements
- Customized seminars and workshops, including: Compliance Today, Beyond Compliance Tomorrow, OSHA Compliance Essentials, and Hazardous Waste Boot Camp
- Customized seminars and workshops on EPA and OSHA Compliance and Sustainability
Sara Osorio is the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Affairs Coordinator at PRINTING United Alliance. Her primary responsibility is to assist members with EHS regulatory compliance, sustainability, and EHS consulting. Sara also monitors the EHS regulatory activities at the federal and state-level that impact the printing industry including those occurring at Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and other agencies. She develops guidance material for members, gives presentations, and writes articles on EHS regulations and sustainability issues. She also supports the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership and Alliance members in their efforts to certify printing operations in sustainable manufacturing.
Sara received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Florida International University and is pursuing and Master of Science in Sustainable Management from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.
Speaking Topics:
- Regulatory compliance and sustainability
- Webinars on a wide variety of EHS related topics
- Customized seminars and workshops
- Employee training on safety and environmental compliance
Sustainability Resources for Promotional Products
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), a strategic partner of PRINTING United Alliance, serves a network of 25,000 suppliers, distributors and decorators in the $26.6 billion promotional products industry, offering a technology platform that manages the industry’s supply chain, as well as producing digital and print content, live events and educational programs.
ASI Media’s award-winning Promo for the Planet page is an educational resource hub for the promotional products industry. Supported by an eight-person advisory board of sustainability leaders, the page is packed with news, trends and ideas to help promo distributors and suppliers build a more sustainable and socially responsible industry. The page also features the “Do-Gooders Directory,” an extensive and regularly updated list of the giveback programs, corporate social responsibility initiatives and sustainability certifications that suppliers and distributors have.
The Three Pillars of Sustainability
Encouraging the incorporation of practices that benefit your triple bottom line, people, planet, and profit, through using innovative manufacturing methods, systems, and materials that gear toward a circular economy is the backbone of PRINTING United Alliance’s sustainability efforts. Learn more about the 3Ps.
PEOPLE: Social Impact
Embracing the diversity of background, perspective, culture, and experience allows a company to grow and prosper. We have been working to promote diversity, inclusion, and equitable opportunity at all levels of the organization, system, and value chain. We provide human relations, safety and health expertise, to improve working conditions, workplace culture, and community engagement on a national scale.
PLANET: Environmental Impact
Environmental sustainability is embedded in our work. The foundation of any environmental sustainability program is compliance with environmental regulations. Building on this foundation, actions addressing sustainability include a focus on energy efficiency, using clean energy, solid and hazardous waste reduction, water conservation, reducing air pollution emissions, improving facilities support functions, and improving the area outside the facility. Sustainability now extends to the supply chain and choices made for transportation of finished goods.
PROFIT: Economic Impact
The U.S. printing industry is valued at $74.4 million and is the 16th largest manufacturing industry in America. The industry provides well-paying jobs, essential products for daily living, and an excellent return on investment. Our industry continues to innovate in product designs and manufacturing processes in a circular manner realizing greater financial and environmental value.