Sustainability
Our company has a long tradition of outstanding environmental stewardship. By utilizing our in-store marketing services, you are helping ensure that we continue to meet the needs of today, without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs tomorrow.
Though challenging for a sizable manufacturer, we have not only maintained the industry standard of product excellence but have worked to exceed compliance standards. For us it is more than buying renewable energy credits or giving to an important cause—this is just the beginning.
Our intent is to be the best in the industry, not only in terms of marketing solutions, but also in terms of efficiency and environmentally responsible solutions. We know the drive toward minimizing any negative impact on people and the environment is constant, but this commitment is one that you can pass on to your customers with the utmost confidence. Additionally, it is our sincerest hope that our efforts can help you achieve your own sustainability goals as well.
For more information, click a topic below:
Conservation of Resources and Pollution Prevention
Recovery of Resources
Distribution
Cause-Related Philanthropy
Human Resources
Conservation of Resources and Pollution Prevention
We are committed to conservation initiatives. We utilize non-toxic, recycled content, raw materials from sustainable sources and closely monitor and reduce the amount of resources that we use, including water and energy. Additionally, in an effort to reduce our environmental footprint, we work hard to limit the amount of greenhouse gases, solid waste, hazardous waste and other harmful emissions generated during the manufacturing process.
Paper:
• 80% of all paper used is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, ensuring an ample offering of input materials from a sustainable source for our customers.
Energy:
• We have installed T5 lighting in our newly built, energy-efficient facility, vastly improving our energy consumption.
• Our time-sensitive heating system is designed to operate only when programmed to, adding greater energy efficiency to the facility.
• Our commitment to using the latest, most energy-efficient equipment for production and manufacturing means we make sure to replace older, less-efficient models at the earliest opportunity.
Manufacturing Materials:
• Our Waste Management Program reviews outputs from the production processes each day to monitor sustainability initiatives.
• As a condition of renewal, annual permits issued by the state require continuous improvement with regard to reducing harmful emissions. To that end, we monitor our facility’s emissions and prepare a weekly report of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) evaporation as a way to track our progress.
• Our facilities do not use highly breakable wood pallets that are considered to be “disposable.” Instead, we incorporate durable pallets with years of useful life.
• We use environmentally friendly, soy-based inks and UV-based inks in order to lessen toxic emissions.
• We encourage the practice of “ganging” jobs together so that waste at all levels can be reduced.
• Our purchasing department orders just enough supplies for the job at hand, thus avoiding unnecessary waste.
• Our advanced color process make-ready system allows the color to be adjusted in a way that minimizes waste.
Water Usage:
• Screens are washed inside a closed system, which significantly reduces water usage.
Recovery of Resources
We constantly strive to reach our goal of zero waste.
Paper Waste:
• 100% of all waste paper generated in the manufacturing process is bundled and shipped to recycling facilities for use in future products.
Energy:
• We are in the process of developing a fuel cell that can recapture and reuse the heat it generates to power itself. This new technology will be operational in the near future.
Manufacturing Materials:
• All plates used in the printing process are recycled.
• We have eliminated conventional film processing methods and were the first large facility in North America to digitize the screen process, thus eliminating several waste-producing steps.
• We utilize a centrifuge to remove solvents from cleaning rags so that they can be reused.
• The pH content of the “press wash” is neutralized so that the formerly volatile liquid can be safely recycled.
• All leftover silkscreen inks are reprocessed and become “imprint black,” an input in future manufacturing processes. Additionally, all leftover offset inks are shipped back to our supplier.
• Our air filtration system recycles the air completely at least twice daily, resulting in a healthier work environment.
Water:
• Wastewater discharge is filtered to neutralize the pH so that harmful compounds are not released into the environment.
Distribution
We realize that every aspect of our operations needs to be monitored so that we can reach our sustainability objectives and help you reach yours. This includes the packaging and shipment of products—we work hard to minimize both energy consumption and packaging waste that occur during the distribution process.
• Through redesign and standardization, we have been able to reduce packaging company-wide by 20% over the past two years.
• Wood pallets used by our suppliers are recycled.
• Our local product-distribution trucks employ a rigorous checklist to ensure the safe and efficient operation of all vehicles; this includes the mapping of routes to maximize fuel efficiency.
Cause-Related Philanthropy
Humanitarian values and interests are becoming an important part of the business world, especially in terms of client relationships. Clients prefer to do business with companies that hold the same values that they do. That is one of the many reasons we choose to align ourselves with nonprofit organizations that both our clients and our company feel are important.
Windsor Marketing Group, in partnership with many of our valued retailers, is involved with a number of nonprofit organizations and is a supporter of local philanthropic efforts.
Human Resources
Taking care of the environment means more to us than simply caring for the world outside our doors; it includes caring for the environment our employees work in as well. We are proud that over the past several years we have had only a 2% annual turnover rate, due in large part to the care we take in our hiring process, competitive compensation packages, and wellness perks such as our own wellness center and on-site massages. Our employees and managerial staff enjoy a highly interactive, productive relationship where an atmosphere of open dialogue, idea sharing and hard work is embraced by all.
