The Label Printers recognized for sustainability efforts

US converter The Label Printers has won two awards in recognition of its efforts to make its operations more environmentally sustainable. The company has won TLMI’s (Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute) Environmental Leadership Award and the State of Illinois’ Governor’s Sustainability Award. 

TLMI’s Environmental Leadership Awards ‘recognizes member companies that have consistently demonstrated a commitment to progressive 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 education program.’

‘The Governor’s Sustainability Award is presented to organizations in Illinois that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices that will also save money and help the economy,’ said Manohar Kulkarni, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) director. ‘These businesses and organizations have shown that it is possible to create and maintain conditions under which people and the environment can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social and economic requirements of present and future generations.’

The Label Printers is a certified member of LIFE. ‘LIFE is based on the ISO 14001 standard and includes many of the same elements (continuous improvement, management review, preventive maintenance, corrective and preventive action, etc),’ explained George Tommasi, director of human resources, The Label Printer’s Illinois EPA compliance representative, and LIFE team leader. ‘We’re very proud of what we, as a company, have been able to achieve in such a short time. We feel that it is a credit to every employee that we have been able to do so.’

Gina Ries, quality assurance supervisor, commented, ‘It’s nice to win awards – but it really shows the commitment and teamwork of the employees.  And it’s also nice to have something like this to offer to our customers.’

Dawn Tesch, purchasing expediter, added, ‘The Sustainability Team couldn’t have achieved these prestigious awards without the help and dedication from each and every employee.’  She also felt that the company was mindful of the fact that it is important to continually make improvements in the sustainability program.

Lori Campbell, chief of operations, also takes great pride in these accomplishments. ‘Even though these are company awards, I’m very proud of the LIFE team specifically, because they’ve taken something from ground zero and made an impact within the first year.’

She continued: ‘Lots of companies talk about being “sustainable” and “environmentally friendly” – but these awards help us demonstrate that our people walk the talk.  And that’s of value to many of our customers.'

‘We’re not a Fortune 500 company,’ added Campbell, ‘But our program and the awards that we’ve won demonstrate that everybody can make a difference – and that’s encouraging’.

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