The Label Printers A Presenter At Sustainable Waste Management Conference

Online, May 30, 2014 (Newswire.com) - The Label Printers' George Tommasi (Director of Human Resources, TLP's Illinois EPA Compliance Representative, and the TLMI L.I.F.E.[the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute's sustainability program] team leader) participated as a Presenter at the recent Sustainable Waste Management Conference, hosted by the Lake Michigan States Section of the Air & Waste Management Association. Mr. Tommasi was invited to present at the Conference to both:

a. discuss the success of TLP's sustainability program (a winner of back-to-back Illinois Governor's Sustainability Awards and TLMI) Environmental Leadership Awards, as well as the Flexographic Technical Association's (FTA) 2012 Environmental Excellence Awards honorable mention), and

b. give conference participants the "small business" perspective.

Conference presenters included municipal and state governments, such as Cook County; Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin; the U.S. EPA; large businesses such as UL, Nicor Gas and CITGO; and "green" technology innovator/developers such as Green SEED Energy.

From A&WMA's web site "This conference is directed toward everyone involved in the waste management industry with a special emphasis on regulatory issues and how to uncover innovative solutions and proven methodologies for dealing with waste management issues. Prominent leaders from government, industry, legal and consulting will provide attendees with information and insights on a wide range of current waste management topics while attendees will have an opportunity to network and meet with other professionals that share similar interests."

Tommasi discussed TLP's "Go Green, Save Green and Earn Green!" program, which is built on the premise that the company can not only reduce costs by being a better environmental steward, but that sustainability initiatives can also generate savings and revenue. He explained how the company started the program by identifying components of the waste stream and then determining categories to redesignate the waste stream as either "waste to energy" or "recycling".

He highlighted some of TLP's L.I.F.E. team's efforts, such as their "Take Stock for Education" program and an employee electronic recycling day. Tommasi said about his presentation, "I wanted to show how you can combine company initiatives with ways to help the community and employees - and I also wanted conference attendees to see that even a small company can make a big difference. We've tried to think of new approaches to old processes, and then get company buy-in to implement them." He added, "It was quite an honor to be selected to represent the small business perspective. It reflects very well on the company and the efforts of every employee to make our program a success."

About THE LABEL PRINTERS:
The Label Printers, Aurora, IL, started in business in 1967, manufacturing simple label constructions in a 1,000 square foot space, with 1 employee, serving the local Chicago market.

Today, the company has evolved into one of the 100 largest converters in the United States. The Label Printers owns and operates two facilities in Aurora, Illinois, manufacturing and distributing labels and packaging products to thousands of customers in 25 countries around the world. The company's quality systems are registered to ISO 9001 and are backed up by their 99.6% Quality Acceptance Rating.

The Label Printers is a member of NASPO (North American Security Products Organization), CACP (Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy), TLMI and the FTA.

http://thelabelprinters.com

About Flexographic Technical Association (FTA):
Founded in 1958, the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) is the world's leading professional society dedicated to the advancement of the flexographic printing industry.

http://www.flexography.org/index.php

About the FTA Environmental Excellence Awards:
While the drive for workable, sustainable solutions for a cleaner environment may seem complex and even somewhat daunting to most of us, it is vital that we each do our part in contributing to a cleaner, healthier Earth. That is why FTA hosts the Environmental Excellence Awards. Through this awards program, the association honors companies and organizations that utilize environmentally sound resources and practices that contribute to a healthier Earth and a better way of life.

About the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI), Inc.:
TLMI, located in Gloucester, Massachusetts, is a member-driven association strongly committed to providing business solutions that enhance the prosperity of its members and the narrow web tag, label, and packaging industries. The organization's vision is to be the premier member-driven association for the label and packaging industry.

http://tlmi.org

About the TLMI 2013 Environmental Leadership Award:
This prestigious award recognizes TLMI 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.

About the TLMI L.I.F.E. Program:
TLMI's (Tag and Label Manufacturer's Institute) goal in creating the L.I.F.E. (Label Initiative For the Environment) Program was to offer an audited certification process tailored specifically to the narrow web printing and converting industry. Examples of elements that companies address in the L.I.F.E. certification process include the recycle-compatibility of adhesives; the source and destination of liner materials and how narrow web companies are driving recycling programs for these materials; and material construction light-weighting (adopting thinner constructions that generate less waste). Front office issues are also addressed such as total energy utilization, where that energy is coming from and what a business is doing to actively reduce its overall carbon footprint.

About The Illinois Governor's Sustainability Awards:
Since 1987, the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) has presented the Illinois Governor's Sustainability Award (Governor's Award) to organizations in Illinois that demonstrate a commitment to our economy, society and environment through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices.

The Governor's Award is given to companies and organizations that implement techniques or technologies that reduce or eliminate pollutants, toxicity and other environmental impacts, including the amount of and/or toxicity of pollutants that would have otherwise been released into the environment. Sustainability includes processes such as raw material and solvent substitution, preventive maintenance programs, beneficial reuse of by-products, waste reduction and recycling, employee engagement efforts, and comprehensive environmental management systems or governing policies. Each year, Governor's Award applications are accepted in the Spring. We then host an award ceremony and technical symposium recognizing award winners and all the great sustainability work being done throughout Illinois.

http://www.istc.illinois.edu/info/govs_awards.cfm