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Environmental Policy
IWCO’s approach to environmental policy and stewardship addressing paper, plastics, and ink moves beyond the standard “reduce, reuse, recycle” model to incorporate sustainability, profitability, and a safe and healthy environment in our facilities and in our communities.
IWCO is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Chain-of-Custody certified by Preferred by Nature. The FSC is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that promotes the responsible management of the world’s forests, and Preferred by Nature is an international, nonprofit organization that works for sustainable land use and climate-friendly solutions around the world. Together, they help ensure forest operations meet comprehensive standards that protect the environment and the rights and welfare of workers, their families, and communities.
Our integrated manufacturing solution is the foundation of our environmental policy. By providing “total package” manufacturing, we reduce freight between component manufacturers and reduce the use of packaging materials. Spoilage is lower than industry standards because we manufacture to specific machine performance rather than broad standards that cover a wide range of scenarios.
As a printer, IWCO must meet stringent emission control requirements. We invest in the best practical pollution control technology to minimize emissions from drying ink and maintain our equipment to ensure maximum performance. The reduction of waste and spoilage are monitored as a performance metric across all manufacturing platforms.
Connecting audiences through paper-based communications is a significant part of our business. IWCO paper procurement policy addresses the entire paper lifecycle to minimize risks associated with biodiversity loss, climate change, and the amount of waste generated.
We are committed to working with our suppliers to continually improve our procurement process and reduce our mutual impact on natural resources. IWCO will give preference to suppliers that work toward the protection of biodiversity and areas of High Conservation Value (HCV).
IWCO will not source products identified as coming from controversial sources, including:
- Illegal timber. Suppliers must demonstrate compliance with legal requirements for forestry and trade practices in the country of origin and/or manufacture and in the U.S. If the country of origin and/or manufacture is determined to be high risk, IWCO will require third-party verification.
- Areas where indigenous or local community rights have been violated.
- Genetically modified organisms.
- Areas of armed conflict.
- Forests known or suspected to contain HCV, unless credibly certified or moving toward certification within a reasonable time frame.
- Forests that have been converted to other land uses.
IWCO will give preference to use of recycled fiber sourced from post-consumer waste (PCW) when Life Cycle Assessment, economic, and quality standards can be met. IWCO holds Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Chain-of-Custody certification in all facilities and prefers to utilize FSC-certified products when client requirements allow. In addition, we are compliant with all DMA Green 15 requirements.
Compliance with regulatory standards is regarded not as a “necessary evil,” but as a starting point. Non-regulatory solutions are pursued to improve the environmental impact of our manufacturing processes while meeting company and customer objectives for efficiency, profitability, and innovation.
Product development plays a role in our environmental policy as we focus on providing solutions that drive response for clients. Our address hygiene solution helps ensure that every piece of mail we produce is going to the intended recipient rather than a landfill as “undeliverable as addressed” mail. Our Creative Utility builds production efficiency into new formats that take advantage of high-yield substrates, upgraded technology, and pinless equipment.
Our logistics partner is a member of the SmartWay® Transport Partnership, which reduces transportation-related emissions that affect climate change, reduces environmental risk for companies, and increases global energy security. In addition, our freight consolidation program minimizes fuel consumption and moves mail deeper into the postal system. In addition to minimizing handling for the USPS and earning discounts for marketers, packaging materials are reduced and skids and trays are aggressively recycled.
We continually evaluate new technologies and processes for opportunities to make our manufacturing processes more efficient and lessen our impact on the environment. Energy-efficiency is a consideration for all capital expenditures and facility upgrades, and we design energy-efficiency into building construction through insulation, lighting, and mechanical systems.
Aggressive goals for reduction of waste and spoilage are monitored as a performance metric across all manufacturing platforms. IWCO recycles all paper waste, waste from plastic card production, and used lithographic printing plates.
IWCO is committed to helping industry, marketers, and the environment co-exist harmoniously. Our policy is to always implement comprehensive environmental health and safety processes that demonstrate our commitment to conservation and preservation to employees, clients, and the communities in which we operate.
