TLMI recognizes four members for sustainability efforts

Two years ago, in 2018, the association has officially renamed its sustainability recognition to the Calvin Frost Environmental Leadership award, as a tribute to one of the packaging industry’s most respected environmental and sustainability leaders, and longtime TLMI member.

The awards recognize association members that have consistently demonstrated a commitment to environmental practices across a range of areas including solid waste reduction, recycling, waste or energy recovery, the implementation of new clean technology and/or processes and the implementation of an educational program. 

This year, the Awards Committee, under the leadership of Aimee Peacock, TLMI supplier member company FLEXcon, redesigned the application process to make it more conducive to smaller companies that might not have the same resources to dedicate to best environmental practices. 

The winner of the Trailhead Award for companies in the early stages of their sustainability journey is Minneapolis, MN-based AWT Labels & Packaging, for its program on downgauging, recycling and landfill avoidance. The judges were also impressed with AWT’s excellent education program for both employees and customers, and the company’s in-house sustainability policies and goals.

This year the Awards Committee created an additional Trailhead recognition award for leadership in liner recycling awarded to San Diego, CA-based Label King given the company’s extensive work in the area of liner recycling.

The winner of the 2020 Journey Award for companies that are further along in their sustainability journey is Grand Rapids, MI-based Grand Rapids Label for numerous metrics demonstrating the company’s positive environmental impact in addition to an extensive recycling program. Grand Rapids is over 80 percent landfill-free and measures all company impacts through ISO 14001 certification.

The winner of the 2020 Elevation Award for companies with sophisticated in-house sustainability programs and that are making a significant industry impact is Hagerstown, MD-based Hub Label. The judges recognized that Hub Label is one of the first TLMI members to become Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) certified. The company recycles and diverts all of its waste from landfill and is currently working with partners to secure renewable energy and to assist its suppliers with their own sustainability goals.

‘I would like to personally congratulate all of this year’s winners of the Calvin Frost Environmental Leadership Award winners,’ said Rosalyn Bandy, vice president of sustainability at TLMI. ‘I would also like to thank Aimee Peacock and the entire Awards Committee for their hard work in reviewing submissions and ensuring the awards align with TLMI’s goals and strategic plan. As pressures surrounding sustainability continue to mount in our industry, it’s more important than ever that TLMI members have the educational resources they need and the recognition they so deserve.’