Navigating the Changing Landscape of Sustainability Compliance

Every year, the printing industry faces an increasingly complex sustainability landscape as new regulations and reporting requirements emerge. From extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation to chemical restrictions and greenhouse gas emissions reporting, PSPs must navigate a growing number of compliance considerations.

During a session at PRINTING United Expo, Sarah Osorio, manager of environmental, health, safety, and sustainability at PRINTING United Alliance, discussed the evolving regulatory landscape and outlined steps PSPs can take to prepare.

Track Your Data

One of the most significant developments in sustainability compliance is the expansion of EPR legislation, which shifts responsibility for managing products at the end of their lifecycle to the companies that produce them.

According to Osorio, seven states have passed EPR legislation covering various materials, including packaging, printed paper, and textiles. While these regulations are relatively new to the printing industry, EPR programs have long existed for products such as tires, paint, and appliances.

“The reason why it’s being implemented now is because those big, hard-to-recycle issues like mattresses, tires, appliances have been dealt with,” she noted. “[Print-related waste] is what’s showing in the landfills and it’s hard to ignore.”

Osorio advises PSPs to review the requirements in states where their products are sold and begin collecting relevant data. “My recommendation on EPR would be if you are selling what could potentially be a covered product into these states, look at the applicability,” she said. “Start collecting that data because your customers are going to ask for that eventually.”

In particular, this data should include metrics on greenhouse gas emissions, material composition, recycled content, and production volumes.

Get Familiar with Chemical Restrictions

Chemical restrictions are another growing area of concern for the printing industry, with proposed legislation targeting substances commonly used in inks, coatings, and other printing materials.

One commonly-known substance is carbon black, a primary pigment in printing inks. Osorio discussed how PRINTING United Alliance recently fought back on the carbon black ban and won. But, while carbon black has remained off any new bills, other chemicals are receiving scrutiny.

“There's a lot of different bans going around – particularly in a lot of the blue states – around single-use water bottles, single-use bags, and cutlery,” she noted. “Those kinds of things are becoming very common. I wouldn't be surprised if that starts spreading a lot as well.”

The list goes on to include microplastics, PFAS, and PFOS, which are prevalent in food contact and cosmetics. “It’s very emotionally attached to consumers,” she noted. “Seeing PFAS-free makes people feel good, and PFAS are not good for you anyway.”

For chemical restrictions, Osorio advised attendees to stay informed about evolving regulations and work closely with suppliers to better understand the chemical composition of their materials and identify potential compliance risks.

Avoid Greenwashing

As sustainability becomes an increasingly important selling point, PSPs must also be mindful of how they communicate their environmental efforts to customers.

“Compliance is not just what you make; it’s what you say,” Osorio emphasized.

She cautioned against both greenwashing (making misleading environmental claims) and greenhushing (failing to communicate legitimate sustainability efforts). While buzzwords can highlight important product attributes, Osorio stressed that these claims must be supported by accurate data and certifications.

She encourages PSPs to evaluate their sustainability claims by asking the following questions:

1. Are you being specific?
2. What exactly is it that you’re claiming?
3. Can you support it?

“You don't want to be making sustainability claims with information that's 10 years old,” she cautioned. “So, make sure that whatever data you're using or providing is accurate.”

Preparing for What's Next

As sustainability regulations continue to evolve, Osorio emphasized that preparation is key. By understanding the materials they use, tracking relevant data, and staying informed about regulatory developments, PSPs can better position themselves to meet compliance requirements and respond to changing customer expectations.

Even when regulations don't directly apply to their operations, printers may still feel the effects throughout the supply chain, making it important to take a proactive approach to sustainability compliance.