Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry, marks its fifth anniversary this month. According to the company, SGP certification criteria are seen as valuable, objective metrics for printers and corporate print buyers alike. Companies such as adidas and Starbucks entrust SGP facilities to help them meet their requirements for a sustainable supply chain. To date, SGP has certified 52 facilities in the United States and Canada, and boasts an ROI-driven recertification rate of 95%. SGP is supported by a record 25 patrons, including Platinum level 3M, Hexacomb, and HP. Patrons make it possible for SGP to maintain affordable application and certification fees.

SGP will commemorate its fifth anniversary this fall at PRINT 13, RILA’s Retail Sustainability Conference, and the SGIA Expo. The festivities will kick off with a celebration at SGP’s first certified facility, Pictura Graphics in Minneapolis, MN, USA, hosted by President/Owner and SGP Chairman of the Board Paul Lilienthal.

“The fifth anniversary of SGP is a distinctive point in the sustainability journey within the graphics community. I am proud of SGP’s leadership stake as we strive to drive sustainability further into corporate supply chains and retail communities,” says Paul Lilienthal, chair, SGP Board of Directors.

According to the company, SGP Certification has emerged as an industry standard for sustainability, providing a comprehensive evaluation and audit of print facilities’ entire operations within all major platforms: digital, flexographic, gravure, offset, and screen. Print facilities are audited through a third party and certified in accordance with SGP’s sustainability guidelines, which also require continuous improvements. These improvements, such as the integration of low VOC inks, landfill avoidance, reduction of energy and water use, and increased awareness and use of recyclable materials, are documented in each certified facility’s annual report.