Family-owned PolyCello, a flexible packaging specialist based in Amherst, Nova Scotia, is the first Canadian print facility to become certified by the rigid U.S.-based Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP).
The SGP Partnership concept was initiated in 2007 as a cooperative effort of American trade associations including the Printing Industries of America (PIA), the Specialty Graphics Industry Association (SGIA), the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA). The group was later joined by the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM).
The certification process was developed in 2008, and since then over 30 U.S. printing companies have become certified. Now PolyCello joins the exclusive SGP certified group.
Founded in 1956, PolyCello is one of the country’s largest flexo print facilities producing award-winning flexible packaging for the frozen food, food service, pet food, towel and tissue, and lawn and garden markets.
The SGP Certification is the company’s latest environmental initiative—it was the first ISO 14001 registered flexographic printer in North America. PolyCello has also been recognized as one of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada.
“Our team meets regularly to determine methodologies for dealing with waste products and to curb emissions,” notes Frank Wilson, environment health and safety coordinator with PolyCello, in a news release. “We continually assess every aspect of our operations to identify opportunities to further reduce our environmental footprint. SGP is in line with our business strategy and provides the benchmark for measuring sustainability. It is a logical step in our sustainability path.”
