Claiming it to be a first-of-its-kind in Canada, and likely one of the only such initiatives in the world, Hemlock Printers has introduced a carbon-neutral printing program, called Zero, for environmentally progressive clients.
Zero is described as a 3-step program in which clients can purchase carbon offsets and neutralize their climate impact. The carbon-offset purchase supports renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects by third parties, predominantly in the greater Vancouver area where Hemlock is located.
“We developed Zero because we recognize that climate change is unequivocally the greatest challenge facing the planet today,” said Dick Kouwenhoven, President and CEO of Hemlock. “The print industry contributes to this impact so we are taking action in a number of ways to reduce our footprint. The Zero program is a concrete way that we can make some changes today for the benefits of tomorrow.”
Hemlock Printers was announced as Canada’s first carbon-neutral printer back in mid-2009, although the company achieved this operating environment in 2008 with the help of a carbon-management company called Offsetters, which is the official supplier of carbon offsets to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Offsetters also aided Hemlock’s development of the Zero program, which is specifically designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at every stage of the paper lifecycle.
“Hemlock does not produce paper, but we purchase it and have it shipped to us, print on it and then deliver the final product to our customers,” said Richard Kouwenhoven, VP of Client Services at Hemlock. “The lifecycle of paper from forest, to mill, transport, printing and then disposal/recycling, emits CO2 at every stage. We want to work with our customers to reduce this impact.”
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