Green Stamp Certification Criteria for Printing Businesses The Green Stamp program is a joint initiative of the Printing Industries Association of Western Australia and the Western Australian Department of Environment and Regulation with funding assistance from the State Government s Waste Authority Waste Avoidance Resource & Recovery Account.
INTRODUCTION The printing industry is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in Australia employing more than 115,000 people. In Western Australia alone more than 400 businesses employ over 7,000 people, with small to medium businesses dominating with 85.3 per cent employing less than 20 people. The industry impacts on our environment in a number of ways, including air and water quality, and contributes to landfill. SOME OF THE WASTE PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRINTING INDUSTRY INCLUDE - Solid wastes such as: waste paper, cardboard, scrap metal, shrink wrap, chemical and ink drums containers, label release liner, used rags, wooden pallets, blanket rolls, toner cartridges. Although some of these products are being recycled, at present there is still a large volume going to landfill. - Liquid wastes including used cleaning solvents, prepress chemicals and other chemicals that can end up in our rivers, wetlands and coastal regions when disposed of incorrectly. - Atmospheric wastes including solvent-based products and that add to our ozone and green house problems. WHAT IS THE GREEN STAMP PROGRAM? The Green Stamp Program is an environmental initiative adopted by the Printing Industries Association of Australia (WA) in conjunction with the Western Australian Department of Regulation in 2003. The program assists small to medium printing businesses to incorporate processes and practices that avoid, reduce, reuse, recycle and dispose of their wastes in an environmentally sensitive manner. The program has identified and focuses on several key areas considered essential to reducing the environmental impact of the printing industry. These areas are: Correct disposal of waste products (preferably to recycling or reuse); Storage practices associated with chemicals, inks and other hazardous substances; Wastewater management Prevention of pollution of ground and stormwater systems; Energy and resource conservation; and The development and implementation of environmental management plans. 2
WHY SHOULD I BE ENVIRONMENTALLY CERTIFIED? Business management in recent years has begun to change. No longer can business owners and operators not consider the final life stages of the products they generate, utilise and sell. To highlight this fact associations like the Waste Authority are actively driving change in the areas of waste management/diversion and are calling on all industrial and commercial businesses owners and managers to take control of their waste products. One of the Green Stamp s objectives is to drive that change within industry and actively promote all Green Stamp members for their waste diversion achievements. The Green Stamp Certification is therefore a marketing tool for businesses to prove to their customers their commitment to good environmental management. It aims to educate the consumer and appeal to their environmental conscience, encouraging them to utilise the services of a Green Stamped Certified business. WHAT OTHER BENEFITS ARE THERE IN ATTAINING GREEN STAMP CERTIFICATION? With the recent global financial crisis, shift towards online communication methods and high minimum wage standards in Australia, competing on cost has become difficult for the printing industry. Achieving and effectively advertising the Green Stamp certification provides a strategy for point of differentiation from competition. There is a market niche of consumers and local government tenders that will deal only with printing businesses that can prove they are environmentally aware. Many businesses have used Green Stamp as a foundation to go further and capitalise on their environmental commitments. For example, they may have taken up the nationally recognised Sustainable Green Print or the internationally recognized ISO 14001 certification. Other benefits that can also be achieved through the Green Stamp program include an improvement in occupational health and safety conditions, reduction in energy consumption, being able to identify waste inefficiencies and reduce general waste disposal costs. 3
CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW Businesses have the opportunity to meet, in chronological order, one or all of the 3 levels of the Certification. Each level specifies particular requirements that a business needs to meet. Certificates of Certification that are put on display to customers identify an individual business level of achievement. To be eligible for the Green Stamp Certification, a businesses must satisfy all Level 1 criteria plus achieve the minimum number of optional criteria detailed in Level 2. LEVEL 1 - Basic compliance is the basic entry requirement into the Green Stamp Certification. The environmental criteria in this level establish that businesses hold all relevant permits and licenses, and are operating in a manner that meets all legislative requirements. The criteria detailed in Level 1 have been designed to incorporate other important considerations such as solid and liquid waste management. LEVEL 2 - Businesses must achieve the Level 1 requirements plus demonstrate that they have moved beyond compliance to incorporate a minimum number of sound environmental management practices into their day-to-day operations. This could include the recycling of particular wastes, use of less toxic inks and chemicals, or energy saving devices etc. LEVEL 3 This is the top level of certification. It is based on the principle of continual improvement, and requires businesses to develop and implement an environmental management plan to help monitor and review their current practices and set objectives or targets for further improvement. 4
LEVEL 1 BASIC COMPLIANCE The Level 1 Certification criteria outline the infrastructure requirements, licenses and management practices that businesses should have in place to ensure their operations achieve basic compliance. To be eligible for the Green Stamp Certification, a businesses must satisfy all Level 1 criteria plus achieve the minimum number of optional criteria detailed in Level 2. ITEM CRITERIA / ACTIONS REQUIRED ( 4) 1.1 The following contaminants are stored in sealed containers on sealed ground, in a position where there is no potential for run-off or spillage to enter stormwater drains or reach open ground; - Inks - Chemicals - Glues/Adhesives - Varnishes - All other hazardous liquids NOTES FOR APPLICANT The auditor will check any potential contaminants including those mentioned are stored as indicated. 1.2 Business recycles paper Auditor will need to be given copies of documentary evidence for the last three (3) occasions that a waste contractor has removed waste paper to be recycled - 5-5
ITEM CRITERIA / ACTIONS REQUIRED ( 4) 1.3 The business has an Industrial Waste Permit to discharge wastewater to sewer.* *Businesses not connected to sewer are exempt from this requirement. NOTES FOR APPLICANT Printing businesses directing their wastewater towards sewer need to have this permit. Businesses will be required to provide a copy of the Industrial Waste Permit to the auditor, and details of what wastewater from the business can enter the sewer. 1.4 If business produces silver bearing wastewater from pre-press film development: Silver is recovered by a regularly serviced silver recovery unit or removed off site by a licensed waste management company. Auditor will need to be given copies of documentary evidence for the last three (3) occasions that a licensed waste contractor has: Serviced your business silver recovery unit OR Removed silver off-site. 1.5 The business has provided waste collection data relevant to waste generation rates. The business will need to collect basic waste measurement information relevant to waste generation rates and provide them at the time of audit. The business has completed a waste measurement sheet. END OF LEVEL 1 REQUIREMENTS - 6-6
LEVEL 2 BEYOND COMPLIANCE To achieve Level 2 Certification a business must meet the Level 1 requirements and have a minimum of 8 out of 16 of the following to achieve the Level 2 Green Stamp Certification. For this level only, businesses can choose for themselves the 8 criteria that they meet. ITEM CRITERIA / ACTIONS REQUIRED (Optional) NOTES FOR APPLICANT ( 4) 2.1 Business recycles aluminium plates. Auditor will need to be given copies of documentary evidence for the last three (3) occasions that a waste contractor has removed scrap metal to be recycled. 2.2 External stormwater drains are marked with the following or similar. Clean water only or Drains to river. 2.3 Business has skylights/natural lighting in production area to minimise the amount of light usage. The auditor will check the drains for these markings. Businesses interested in having their stormwater drains marked with these messages can have this done by contacting the Green Stamp Coordinator. An auditor will need to see that sufficient effort has been made to maximise the amount of natural light entering the production area. 2.4 Business uses vegetable/soy-based inks. Auditor will need to see vegetable/soy-based inks being used in production process, and supporting documentation from manufacturer/supplier. 2.5 Shrink-wrap is removed offsite by a waste management company to be recycled. Auditor will need to be given copies of documentary evidence for the last three (3) occasions that a waste contractor has removed shrink-wrap to be recycled. - 7-7
ITEM CRITERIA / ACTIONS REQUIRED (Optional) ( 4) 2.6 Business has a system in place to control an emergency spill. 2.7 Used ink containers are removed off-site by a licensed waste management company to be recycled or re-used. 2.8 Used Chemical drums are removed off-site by a licensed waste management company to be recycled or re-used. NOTES FOR APPLICANT The auditor will need to see business have materials/equipment in place and be satisfied that a spill can easily be contained with the use of this materials/equipment. Auditor will need to be given copies of documentary evidence for the last three (3) occasions a supplier or waste contractor has removed empty ink containers. Auditor will need to be given copies of documentary evidence for the last three (3) occasions a supplier or waste contractor has removed empty chemical drums. 2.9 Wooden pallets are removed off-site by a licensed waste management company to be recycled or reused. Auditor will need to be given copies of documentary evidence for the last three (3) occasions a waste contractor has removed wooden pallets offsite to be reused or recycled. - 8-8
2.10 Used Rags are removed offsite to be recycled or reused Auditor will need to be given copies of documentary evidence for the last three (3) occasions a waste contractor has removed used rags. ITEM CRITERIA /ACTIONS REQUIRED (Optional) ( 4) 2.11 Does the business source virgin fibre that is FSC /PEFC certified? If other please specify 2.12 Do you keep an up to date register of all chemicals stored onsite including the MSDS sheets? NOTES FOR APPLICANT Auditor will need to be given copies of documentary evidence Letter from supplier Auditor will need to be given copies or sight documentary evidence of MSDS Sheets/chemical register onsite 2.13 Business uses computer to plate (CTP) technology or plates used in production are sourced from businesses using CTP. 2.14 Used inkjet and toner cartridges are removed offsite to be recycled or re-used Auditor will need to see business has CTP equipment in operation or a letter from company producing plates that confirms plates were produced using CTP methods. Auditor will need to be given copies of documentary evidence for the last three (3) occasions a supplier or waste contractor has removed used inkjet and toner cartridges. 2.15 The Business has a current environmental policy on display for customers and clients to see. The auditor will need to see the policy completed and in place. The Green Stamp coordinator can offer assistance in developing an environmental policy. - 9-9
2.16 Business keeps a record of how waste levels change over time 2.17 Do you have team or champions that look at on going efficiency improvements e.g energy saving motors, water savings devices Records of solid wastes are kept (both those diverted from landfill and those that aren t) and related back to the amount of print work produced, on a minimum of an annual basis. See coordinator for more details. The Auditor will need to see any projects that have been done by the team or champion. END OF LEVEL 2 REQUIREMENTS - 10-10
LEVEL 3 CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT To achieve Level 3 Certification a business must meet the Level 2 requirements plus have an environmental management system (EMS) or similar in place that will help monitor and manage their environmental impacts. For some businesses the EMS could be included in an existing system such as QA or OHS. As an absolute minimum the following requirements must be met (*with the possible exception of 3.4). Auditor: If not a formal EMS, describe format or type of system ITEM CRITERIA / ACTIONS REQUIRED NOTES FOR APPLICANT ( 4) 3.1 The business has an environmental policy. The auditor will need to see the policy completed and in place. The Green Stamp can offer assistance in developing an environmental policy. 3.2 The business keeps a record of any environmental permits or licenses required and their due dates for payment. 3.3 The business has an environmental impact plan or similar to identify their possible impacts that need to be addressed as well as any training or staff education that may be required. 3.4 Review audits are conducted every 6 to 12 months depending upon the type of EMS or environmental plan being implemented. Environmental records are accurately and legibly maintained and stored securely in a form accessible for reporting procedures. The auditor will need to see the environmental plan including any staff training needs that will be addressed in the future. The Green Stamp has available at no cost, simple management plans that printing businesses can implement should they not already have one. If this system is used the business must show that at least one preliminary audit has been conducted. This could be done by either the business themselves or by an external auditor. The auditor will check the frequency of the follow up audits and the changes that have been implemented since starting the plan. * Businesses that implemented environmental management systems or plans less than 12 months ago can be exempt from this requirement if Item No 3.3 has been satisfied. END OF LEVEL 3 REQUIREMENTS - 11-11
NEED MORE HELP? The Green Stamp Program offers a range of resources and services to assist small to medium sized printing businesses to not only check their level of legal compliance, but also identify their eligibility for the Green Stamp Certification. Businesses that may currently not satisfy the Green Stamp s Certification criteria can utilise the following services to assist them to do so. Environmental audits can be conducted on your business to identify any current environmental impacts and provide practical solutions and follow-up support to assist in their implementation. These baseline audits are obligation-free and strictly confidential. Industry specific Environmental Information Sheets that identify environmental issues relevant to the printing industry, and suggest practical solutions and parties that can assist in their mitigation. A broad range of guidelines are available including information on air quality, environmental law, management of chemicals etc. Via the Environmental Product and Service Directory, the Green Stamp has identified various product and service providers in Perth that can help printing businesses implement their environmental initiatives. Environmental training seminars are delivered to workshop owners, managers and employees to help raise awareness of the environmental impacts of the industry and practical methods of responsible environmental management. Some of the issues addressed include legislation and licensing, wastewater management, recycling and reusing wastes, managing spills, containment and storage practices and environmental management systems. For further information or additional assistance in implementing any of the actions identified in this document, please contact the PIAA Green Stamp Coordinator, on (08) 9361 4625 or email sheree@printnet.com.au This free service is available to all PIAA-WA members.