The Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership celebrated its first year as a non-profit organization devoted to reducing the environmental impact and increasing the social responsibility of the print and graphic communication industry through sustainable green printing practices. To date, the organization has certified nine printers and has attracted more than 50 SGP applicants to the program, with still more companies in the process.

“We are pleased with the progress of the SGP program, especially in light of these economic times,” says Marcia Kinter, board chairman at SGP Partnership. The group has made significant progress in its first year. SGP Partnership successfully launched its streamlined online application process in August 2008 and seated its 18-member Board of Directors for its first official board meeting in March 2009.

Also in the first year, the organization has grown its popular Patron Program, a consortium of suppliers and print buyers looking to support SGP Partnership’s goals while serving as leaders in the sustainability movement. Key patrons in the program include: Hewlett-Packard (as a Platinum Patron), Durst, Dupont, BCM Inks, Environmental Inks & Coatings, Explorer Pressroom Solutions, Flint Group, INX International Ink Co., MacDermid, Mohawk Fine Papers, Pace Industries, Reliable Paper Recycling and Xcel Products.

For more information about the SGP Partnership, the SGP Patron program, or the SGP Printer certification process, visit www.sgppartnership.org or contact Karen Gross, executive director, at info@sgppartnership.org.