POMCO - Sustainability

Best Practices

At POMCO we strive to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into our everyday operations. We use water- and soy-based inks and coatings as opposed to those that are petroleum-based. These materials are made from renewable resources and emit far fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which have been tied to greenhouse gases. Additionally, throughout our facility, we have oversized bins to catch every scrap of paper waste for recycling. Most of this scrap becomes particleboard.

We are devoted to taking new initiatives to meet and exceed new environmental standards, and keep global issues at the core of our process. While we are more than 120 years old, we are dedicated to finding new techniques and technologies to protect our resources and sustain our world for future generations, and sharing that knowledge with others.

A few things to think about:

Don't overlook digital — Digital printing has definite environmental benefits. It requires less ink and creates less waste in terms of plates, wastewater, and emissions. So, for smaller runs especially, consider digital.
Incorporate the environment into your objectives.
When approaching any project, ask yourself how you can make it the most environmentally friendly and create as little waste as possible.
Involve the experts.

We are always happy to work with you to help you maximize your design and minimize its impact on the environment. As you begin any project, don't be afraid to give us a call. We thrive on collaboration and are eager to work with you to identify the best paper, printing methods, and design techniques to maximize your design and minimize its impact on the environment.

Environmental Certifications

As a printing company, environmental responsibility is a serious matter. We realize the potential consequences of our impact on the depletion of forests and increase of greenhouse gases if we are not mindful in our approach and throughout our processes. To ensure the safety and security of our people, planet, and forests, POMCO is honored to announce it has achieved FSC, SFI, and PEFC Certification.

FSC Certification

POMCO pioneered environmentally responsible printing in Philadelphia, being the first in the city to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. We are honored to have earned this distinction and dedicate ourselves to maintaining FSC Chain of Custody Requirements.

The Forest Stewardship Council is an international organization of people combining efforts to set global standards for responsible management and sustaining of the world's forests. Consumers and organizations worldwide recognize the FSC trademark as a symbol of a company's accountability for its impact on the environment.

> Learn more about FSC Certification

Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certification

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) program is based on the premise that responsible environmental behavior and sound business decisions can co-exist.

Our inclusion in this initiative positions us among an elite group of landowners, companies, and social and environmental organizations that are all committed to improving forestry practices on a global scale. In addition to issuing Chains of Custody that follow from the paper from sustainably harvested forests throughout the purchase and printing process, SFI plants more than 650 million trees per year, and its companies commit to meeting and often exceeding strict water quality standards developed under EPA and related regulations.

> Learn more about SFI Certification

PEFC Certification

PEFC Certification (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) recognizes our commitment to procuring, providing, and promoting paper and wood products that originate in sustainably managed forests.

An independent, international organization, PEFC is the largest certification system of its kind and offers more than 25 individual certification systems that account for more than 200 million hectares of certified forests. In total, PEFC and its third-party auditors thoroughly inspect more than 85% of the world’s forest area to ensure sustainable growth, management, and harvesting.

> Learn more about PEFC Certification back to top

Ink and Paper Choices

Design is about decisions. So as you consider your next project, keep these ideas in mind. They're easy ways to help protect and preserve our planet.

Inks

Specify mineral free inks

Historically inks have been manufactured using a number of chemicals including petroleum, cadmium, mercury, chromium, and others. However, there are many new environmentally friendly, mineral free inks on the market.

Mineral-free inks are made from a number of environmentally friendly resources. They have the ability to reduce or eliminate these chemicals from the atmosphere and environment. They also improve degradability, and create healthier workplaces for the printing staff.

If it is not possible to use entirely mineral free inks, specify inks with no more than 10% of volatile organic compounds.

Be mindful of metallic

Metallic inks are hard to come by in mineral-free form, while they are attractive ways to enhance any product, use them only when necessary.

Be conscious of coverage

When possible, design pages for minimal coverage, and avoid bleeds. This approach results in fewer resources being used and reduced waste.

Remember, recycled inks are available too

Most ink can be recycled to create standard black ink, which greatly reduces the amount of ink and chemical waste going to the landfills. Recycled inks do involve some virgin inks, however, they are more affordable. Colored inks are also available, though the colors they produce can vary.

Paper

Select Certified Paper

Specify papers that bear the FSC logo or SFI logo.

FSC Certification means that the pulp and paper come from forests that are certified under a strict set of environmental and social standards. The paper is tracked from the forest to the consumer through a chain of custody certification system, which means that the pulp providers, mills, and printers must all obtain FSC Certification for a product to carry the FSC logo or label.

SFI Certified papers work similarly. A chain of custody certificate follows the paper from the pulp supplier to the mill to the printer and provides assurance that the products come from legal and sustainable sources.

Specify Recycled Paper

Recycled paper leaves a much smaller impact on the environment than paper manufactured from raw materials. It is available in two forms pre- and post-consumer waste, at varying concentrations of recycled content.

Pre-consumer waste is made from waste created at the mill or printer. Post-consumer waste is created from paper that has been used previously, and is considered the most environmentally friendly option because it has experienced one lifecycle already.

Specify Chlorine Free Paper

The process of manufacturing paper often involves chlorine to bleach the pulp, which results in highly toxic chemicals being released into the environment. New processes reduce these chemicals, while creating equally bright, white sheets.

Consider "Tree Free" Paper

Paper doesn't have to come from trees. There are many alternative papers available that are made from renewable resources including cotton, help, kenaf — a relative of the hibiscus, and flax.

Use uncoated paper whenever possible

Coated paper is harder to recycle than uncoated stock. The recycling process also strips the paper of its clay coating, which then makes its way to the landfill as waste.

If using virgin paper, select paper sourced from sustainably managed forests

Specifying paper sourced from sustainably managed forests helps minimize the impact on our environment. All harvesting efforts focus on reducing effects on the water, soil, forests, and communities.

Specify the lightest sheet possible

It's simple really; a lighter sheet requires less pulp for manufacturing and uses less paper to print your publication. Additionally, heavier stock could incur higher postage costs, depending on the distribution method.