Reflections of a Small Publishing Business “Going Green”: FSC paper
~ By Colette
Since the switch, we have printed two editions on FSC paper as well some promotional materials. Each time we have been thrilled with the results. Beyond the “feel good” factor, the FSC paper has less gloss than the previous paper used to make The Prevention Researcher resulting in easier to read and more attractive issues.
Besides being excited about the new paper, I was struck by how much impact one person’s suggestion had made. By taking a second to mention this option to us, our liaison at the printers had made what I felt to be a significant impact. I was left wondering how I could make a similar impact.
In January 2008, while in our annual strategic planning meeting I suggested that our whole office look at how we might “go green.” Beyond the FSC paper, what else can we do as a company to lessen our impact on the environment? And, how can we encourage others to do the same? Two results came from those initial meetings: the first was the creation of a series of monthly meetings in which we would strategize how to make ourselves “greener,” the second was the creation of this blog, so that we can share our experiences and the resources that we find.
Since our initial discussions, “Going Green” has become mainstream almost to the point of nausea. In seems every company has jumped on the “Green” wagon and a new term has now been coined – “green fatigue”. It is my hope that our blog might be a bit different. Our goal is not to promote ourselves as a “Green” company, but to engage in a dialog with other small businesses, other publishing companies, and other people interested in “going green” about available options and the sometimes difficult choices required.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Thanks. Good idea. I’ll become your constant visitor.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:12 am
[...] disappointing, but as a (very) small non-profit we could not justify the cost. However, as Colette blogged about earlier, we later discovered a sustainable paper source from the Forest Stewardship Council [...]
October 26th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
[...] strengthen our focus on being a “green” organization. This focus has included efforts in both publishing and marketing aspects, as well as the goal to meet monthly and discuss what it means to be an [...]