FTA Environmental Excellence Awards

Every year, the Flexographic Technical Association acknowledges those companies that go above and beyond to develop processes and products that have a positive impact on the environment. This year, there was an outstanding group of nominees including Dion Label, Coating Excellence International, Overnight Labels, Creative Labels, Press Color, Allpak Trojan and The Lauterbach Group.

These firms presented a wide variety of innovative efforts aimed at energy and process efficiency, waste reduction, recycling, energy generation, and the development of environmentally friendy products. This was the largest field of nominations ever received in a given year since the Environmental Excellence Awards Competition began. The quality of the nominations made for an extremely challenging judging process. Environmental stewardship is clearly infiltrating every aspect of many organizations, as evidenced by this year's nominees. Some of the highlights of this year's nominations:

Creative Labels received an Honorable Mention for Technical Innovation for their installation of a solar energy system, which produces 45121 kwh/year and reduces CO2 production by 68000#/year.

Coating Excellence won 1st place for Technical Innovation for their development of an innovative film laminated to a woven poly bag. This material requires significantly less material to produce than conventional multiwalled bags, is recycleable, requires less ink to print on, and is produced with renewable energy. The construction of this bag is stronger, resulting in less product damage and associated waste.

Allpak Trojan received an Honorable Mention for Process Improvement for a variety of initiatives that included repair and reuse of 650 pallets/month, replacement of all solvent cleaners, developement of a recycleable protective inner packaging material, and installation of energy efficient lighting.

The Lauterbach Group recieved 1st place for Process Improvement for a comprehensive program of improvements to existing facilities, construction of a new LEEDs certified Energy Efficent plant, pallet recycling and repair, improved printing process efficiency, an awards program to recognize employees for outstanding results, semi-paperless office, ink recycling, and digital platemaking.

As an Environmental Excellence Awards Judge, I am proud to congratulate the winners and all of this year's nominees.