{"id":6282,"date":"2023-04-18T09:45:08","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T14:45:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/?p=6282"},"modified":"2025-07-24T09:11:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T14:11:25","slug":"green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system","title":{"rendered":"Green Goals: An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--the_content--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-6\"> <p>No company can claim to be truly eco-friendly without having an Environmental Management System (EMS). As a carbon neutral, environmentally conscious online printer, Smartpress not only makes the claim, but also backs it up with new and ever more challenging (and rewarding) sustainability goals. Our customers have high expectations, so we\u2019re sharing our 2022 EMS successes and previewing our 2023 priorities.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <\/span><\/p> <h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2> <ul> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"#what-is-an-ems\">Smartpress and The Bernard Group use an Environmental Management System<\/a> to track and achieve ambitious sustainability goals.<\/span><\/li> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"#outcomes:-ems-in-2022\">In 2022, they significantly exceeded targets<\/a> for energy savings (375,884 kWh saved), Scope 3 emissions tracking (23,533 tCO\u2082e calculated) and waste diversion (538 tons redirected).<\/span><\/li> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"#onward:-ems-in-2023\">For 2023, Smartpress is working on a material comparison tool for eco-conscious design,<\/a> reducing virgin plastic in packaging by 50% and developing recycling streams for more materials.<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0149_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=f7d955e7bffacb4ccb2ac57b345ecc0a\" alt=\"Two people standing at a table with a box of sustainable material samples in a production facility.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2 id=\"what-is-an-ems\">What is an EMS?<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p>An Environmental Management System helps Smartpress and our parent company, <a href=\"https:\/\/thebernardgroup.com\/\">The Bernard Group<\/a>, reduce our impacts on the environment and increase efficiencies in the way we operate. Our EMS team leads the way by creating policies and procedures that put us in the driver\u2019s seat when it comes to environmental performance across our entire company.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>These experts do crucial research, create documentation and provide training on all things eco. In short, they pave the way for Smartpress and The Bernard Group to be as eco-friendly as possible in all aspects of our business.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>We often say we believe in working toward something bigger than ourselves, and we believe it should be stunning. In this case, the \u201cbigger\u201d begins with EMS.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50-image --><div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-10\"><div class=\"row center-xs\"><\/span><\/p> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-top-sm blockOffset-right-sm raisedLeft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0067_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=2c22ab7e3a6ebb9c93a3e43a264758e4\" alt=\"A woman wearing a Smartpress T-shirt and safety glasses sorting recycled magnet materials.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div><\/p> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-bottom-md\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0019_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=19102246bec49cdacab0f73283339f52\" alt=\"A man in a production area standing by a recycling bin with a flip book printed with Corrugate A.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div><\/p> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2 id=\"outcomes:-ems-in-2022\">Outcomes: Environmental Management System in 2022<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10\"> <p>When we set environmental goals, we don\u2019t just do it willy nilly. Our International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 Certification requires we set objectives that are consistent with our environmental policy. They\u2019re then tracked by our EMS team and shared with employees in all of our facilities on posters and bulletins, through emails and internal TV monitors. We\u2019re nothing if not accountable. Here are the Environmental Management System goals we worked toward in 2022:<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Objective #1: Calculate energy savings<\/strong><\/span><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--><\/span><\/p> <p><em><strong>Goal:<\/strong><\/em> Save 100,000 kWh across our entire enterprise annually.<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <p><em><strong>Result:<\/strong><\/em> We far surpassed this objective, with a total annual savings of 375,884 kWh &#8211; nearly four times our goal! With a third-party audit, we were able to target specific facilities, as well as smaller-scale projects like shutting down idle equipment, LED retrofits and occupancy sensors.<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><strong>Objective #2: Quantify Scope 3 emissions<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--><\/span><\/p> <p><em><strong>Goal:<\/strong><\/em> <a href=\"\/blog\/features\/sustainable-printing-smartpress-carbon-neutral-program\">Having already offset Scopes 1 and 2<\/a>, we wanted to quantify the next level of emissions, Scope 3, across our entire enterprise.<\/p> <ul> <li>Scope 1 emissions are those made directly by our five primary facilities and company vehicles in Minnesota.<\/li> <li>Scope 2 emissions consist of those generated by the electricity we purchase from local energy partners.<\/li> <li>Scope 3 emissions include those made by our supply and distribution chain, employees commuting, business travel, purchased goods and waste disposal.<\/li> <\/ul> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <p><em><strong>Result: <\/strong><\/em>In meeting this goal, our research revealed our total Scope 3 emissions for 2022 was 23,533 tCO2e (metric tons of carbon dioxide). We also evaluated our strategic direction and purchased new carbon offsets (COs) and renewable energy certificates (RECs) to continue offsetting our Scopes 1 and 2 emissions in 2023:<\/p> <ul> <li><strong>Katingan Redd Project (Scope 1 CO):<\/strong> Protects and restores 149,800 hectares of peatland ecosystems.<\/li> <li><strong>Akocak Hydroelectric Power Plant (Scope 1 CO):<\/strong> Generates energy from the Karadere River in Trabzon, Turkey.<\/li> <li><strong>Green-e Certified US\/CAN Wind\/Solar\/Biomass (Scope 2 REC):<\/strong> Generates energy from new facilities that meet rigorous standards for environmental quality.<\/li> <\/ul> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><strong>Objective #3: Divert 500 tons of waste to proper disposal<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--><\/span><\/p> <p><em><strong>Goal:<\/strong><\/em> Improve our waste program performance throughout all facilities in order to divert 500 tons of waste to proper disposal.<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <p><em><strong>Result:<\/strong><\/em> We exceeded this goal with a total of 538 tons of redirected waste. Subsequent wins that emerged here were us recycling magnet materials for the first time ever and boosting awareness about our recycling program with improved communication to our employees.<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><em><strong>Hint:<\/strong><\/em> Our EMS goals affect not only our online printing services, but also our approach to <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/pages\/social-responsibility\">corporate social responsibility<\/a> as a whole. <a href=\"\/blog\/features\/corporate-sustainability-platinum-is-our-new-green\">See why we\u2019re rated Platinum by EcoVadis<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0029_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=72fb32a8e4a3c2910eefd7bbd8307887\" alt=\"A man in a Smartpress T-shirt throwing ink-stained paper towels into a blue bin in a production area.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2 id=\"onward:-ems-in-2023\">Onward: Environmental Management System in 2023<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p>When thinking about goals for 2023, we saw it as a chance to really focus on what it means to be a carbon neutral printer and sustainable business as a whole. Smartpress and The Bernard Group once again aligned our Environmental Management System initiatives with our environmental policy and came up with three exciting opportunities:<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><strong>Objective #1: Bolster our eco design process<\/strong><br \/> <em><strong>Goal:<\/strong><\/em> Create and implement a tool for comparing project materials during pre-production and improve access to more sustainable options for The Bernard Group clients. The tool will include information on each material\u2019s environmental performance and how clients can optimize their projects. Previously used with select clients, this version will be accessible to all (holla!).<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>For Smartpress customers, this means continuing to grow our assortment of eco-friendly paper stocks and substrate options. (See the <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/stocks-substrates\/recycled-paper-stocks\">recycled paper stocks<\/a>, <a href=\"\/blog\/on-press\/sustainable-swap-4-new-green-alternatives-for-eco-friendly-printing\">green alternative materials<\/a> and <a href=\"\/blog\/on-press\/sustainable-signage-8-substrates-for-planet-friendly-printing\">sustainable signage<\/a> we already offer.)<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>Objective #2: Provide more sustainable packaging<\/strong><br \/> <em><strong>Goal:<\/strong><\/em> Test and make available more options for sustainable packaging. For shipping materials specifically, eliminate 50% of virgin plastic and replace it with materials that are recycled, recyclable or sustainably sourced. (Check out the recyclable <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/shop\/custom-boxes#cp=1&amp;cph=1448\">Custom Boxes<\/a> already available for online printing &#8211; each style comes in three sizes!)<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>Objective #3: Continue recycling improvements<\/strong><br \/> <em><strong>Goal:<\/strong> <\/em>Identify and develop successful recycling streams for at least two more currently non-recyclable materials. As mentioned above, 2022 was a big year for recycling upgrades at Smartpress and The Bernard Group, including recycling magnets for the first time. 2023 is the perfect time to target even more material streams.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><em><strong>Hint:<\/strong> <\/em>See how your favorite online printing shop goes <a href=\"\/blog\/features\/sustainable-solutions-eco-friendly-printing-step-by-step\">sustainable with every step<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs pullQuote\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10\"> <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Our environmental policy states that we commit to leading the industry, and that takes involvement from everyone, every day.&#8221;<\/span><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0112_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=2f1fa84163a70179c04399c686120a85\" alt=\"A man and a woman in Smartpress T-shirts sorting through materials in a box in a production area.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2>Q&amp;A with Our EMS Team<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p>We wouldn\u2019t be the eco-friendly printer we are without our impressive Environmental Management System and the experts who make that team a force to be reckoned with. We spoke to two of them, Industrial Engineer Clay McCarty and Environmental Program Manager Emily Keith, about the challenges of meeting goals, what every EMS needs and more.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--><\/span><\/p> <p><strong>Why is it important for our company to have an EMS team?<\/strong><br \/> <em><strong>Clay McCarty:<\/strong> <\/em>\u201cDifferent areas have their own challenges with environmental success, but having an EMS team allows us to ensure that The Bernard Group and Smartpress are united in these efforts as a whole.\u201d<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>How do you determine annual objectives for EMS?<\/strong><br \/> <em><strong>Emily Keith:<\/strong><\/em> \u201cWe determine annual objectives by looking at the needs of our company, as well as client interest within the last year. We also make sure the objectives we set are measurable. Each year brings different challenges and new goals, and we want to make sure our EMS objectives reflect those well.\u201d<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>How do The Bernard Group and Smartpress employees contribute to accomplishing these goals?<\/strong><br \/> <em><strong>Keith:<\/strong><\/em> \u201cMany employees will be directly involved in helping us achieve our objectives for the year, but the big picture is always very important. Our environmental policy states that we commit to leading the industry, and that takes involvement from everyone, every day. Every project we plan, every bin of waste, every chemical drum is an opportunity for us to lead.\u201d<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2022?<\/strong><br \/> <em><strong>Keith:<\/strong><\/em> \u201cOne of the biggest initiatives we\u2019re most proud of is our Calculated Energy Savings Project. This project really started from the ground up as we participated in a third-party energy audit to analyze where we have energy savings opportunities. It gave us great direction and helped us organize priorities and impacts of certain improvements.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>\u201cThe energy savings goal of 100,000 kWh was almost quadrupled at 375,884 kWh. The amount of energy we were able to save is incredible! We\u2019re really proud of this one.\u201d<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <p><strong>What do you anticipate will be the biggest challenges in accomplishing our 2023 objectives?<\/strong><br \/> <em><strong>Keith:<\/strong><\/em> \u201cThe biggest challenges in 2023 will probably be sourcing. For each objective, sourcing is necessary and will require lots of involvement from different teams to help find the best materials, waste streams and resources to complete them. We don\u2019t want to settle for something that doesn\u2019t align with the true purpose of our objectives, which is to be better than the year before.\u201d<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>What advice do you have for companies interested in starting their own EMS?<\/strong><br \/> <em><strong>McCarty:<\/strong><\/em> \u201cMake sure your program is supported from the top down. If your leaders aren\u2019t committed to setting standards and sustaining them, your program will encounter obstacles at every level. The bare minimum is not enough, and it starts with having committed leadership.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>\u201cAlso, be ready to have documented policies and manage them. ISO programs are all about doing what you say and saying what you do. Workplaces are a moving target in a lot of industries, and your policies have to be agile enough to stay relevant in a fast paced environment like that.\u201d<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>Why is it important for companies to monitor their impact on the environment?<\/strong><br \/> <em><strong>McCarty:<\/strong><\/em> \u201cHumanity as a whole is experiencing an awakening of sorts. We\u2019re more aware each day of our impact on the planet. It\u2019s crucial that industry and commerce understand their part in the bigger picture and take responsibility for it.\u201d<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs pullQuote\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10\"> <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s crucial that industry and commerce understand their part in the bigger picture and take responsibility for it.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--><!--\/the_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"No company can claim to be truly eco-friendly without having an Environmental Management System (EMS). As a carbon neutral, environmentally conscious online printer, Smartpress not only makes the claim, but also backs it up with new and ever more challenging (and rewarding) sustainability goals. Our customers have high expectations, so we\u2019re sharing our 2022 EMS successes and previewing our 2023 priorities.","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":6288,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Check out Smartpress&#039; Environmental Management System&#039;s 2022 successes and 2023 priorities for sustainability.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Check out Smartpress&#039; Environmental Management System&#039;s 2022 successes and 2023 priorities for sustainability.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Smartpress Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smartpressprinting\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-04-18T14:45:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-24T14:11:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blogprodproxy.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/HERO-0177_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Amy Breitag\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@smartpress\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@smartpress\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Amy Breitag\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Amy Breitag\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01\"},\"headline\":\"Green Goals: An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-04-18T14:45:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-24T14:11:25+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system\"},\"wordCount\":1777,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/04\\\/HERO-0177_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=7c9cc8824e2d1de1a2926c03b7b34a83\",\"articleSection\":[\"Features\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system\",\"name\":\"An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/04\\\/HERO-0177_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=7c9cc8824e2d1de1a2926c03b7b34a83\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-04-18T14:45:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-24T14:11:25+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01\"},\"description\":\"Check out Smartpress' Environmental Management System's 2022 successes and 2023 priorities for sustainability.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/04\\\/HERO-0177_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=7c9cc8824e2d1de1a2926c03b7b34a83\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/04\\\/HERO-0177_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=7c9cc8824e2d1de1a2926c03b7b34a83\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"A woman wearing a blue Smartpress T-shirt flipping through cards printed with Sustainable Materials.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Green Goals: An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Smartpress Blog\",\"description\":\"Create Brilliant Print\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01\",\"name\":\"Amy Breitag\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Amy Breitag\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/atag\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System","description":"Check out Smartpress' Environmental Management System's 2022 successes and 2023 priorities for sustainability.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System","og_description":"Check out Smartpress' Environmental Management System's 2022 successes and 2023 priorities for sustainability.","og_url":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system","og_site_name":"Smartpress Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smartpressprinting\/","article_published_time":"2023-04-18T14:45:08+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-07-24T14:11:25+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/blogprodproxy.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/HERO-0177_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Amy Breitag","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@smartpress","twitter_site":"@smartpress","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Amy Breitag","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system"},"author":{"name":"Amy Breitag","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01"},"headline":"Green Goals: An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System","datePublished":"2023-04-18T14:45:08+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-24T14:11:25+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system"},"wordCount":1777,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/HERO-0177_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=7c9cc8824e2d1de1a2926c03b7b34a83","articleSection":["Features"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system","url":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system","name":"An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/HERO-0177_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=7c9cc8824e2d1de1a2926c03b7b34a83","datePublished":"2023-04-18T14:45:08+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-24T14:11:25+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01"},"description":"Check out Smartpress' Environmental Management System's 2022 successes and 2023 priorities for sustainability.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/HERO-0177_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=7c9cc8824e2d1de1a2926c03b7b34a83","contentUrl":"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/HERO-0177_2023-03-29-EMS-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=7c9cc8824e2d1de1a2926c03b7b34a83","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"A woman wearing a blue Smartpress T-shirt flipping through cards printed with Sustainable Materials."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Green Goals: An Inside Look at Our Environmental Management System"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/","name":"Smartpress Blog","description":"Create Brilliant Print","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01","name":"Amy Breitag","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Amy Breitag"},"url":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/author\/atag"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6282","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6282"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6282\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6282"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6282"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6282"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}