Amherst, Nova Scotia-based PolyCello becomes the first printing operation in Canada to earn certification from the environmentally focused Sustainable Green Printing Partnership.
Family-owned since 1956, PolyCello is one of Canada’s largest packaging operations, running 12 flexographic presses and employing 350 people between its Amherst, Nova Scotia, and Belleville, Ontario facilities – together accounting for approximately 212,000 square feet.
The company was started by PG Emmerson in 1956, with six employees and one printing press. PolyCello is now lead by a third generation of the family, Stephen Emmerson, President and CEO, who guided the company to be named as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies in 2008 and 2009.
In 2000, PolyCello began to focus on its environmental controls implementation. “Our team meets regularly to determine methodologies for dealing with waste products and to curb emissions,” said Frank Wilson, EH&S Coordinator. “We continually assess every aspect of our operations to identify opportunities to further reduce our environmental footprint.”
The company currently provides two primary environmentally progressive forms of packaging under its MicroPack Steamable and recyclable SmartPack brands. According to the company, SmartPack packaging replaces millions of landfill-bound laminated products, and a wide range of full-featured, multi-web stand up packages. The company also uses VOC-free lamination and an in-line electron beam-cured, solvent-less coating process.
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