Carbon Solutions Northwest (CSNW) Announces Completion of Comprehensive Carbon Footprint Project for Image Pressworks
Project includes assessment and inventorization of direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigation strategy assistance.
Portland, OR, September 25, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Carbon Solutions Northwest is pleased to announce that it has completed a carbon footprint project with Image Pressworks, a respected commercial printer based in Portland, Oregon. Image Pressworks undertook this project to develop an understanding of their GHG emissions (the gases that lead to climate change) and create a roadmap to carbon neutrality.
On June 26th, 2009, The US House of Representatives narrowly passed The American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act. This important victory brought the United States one step closer to adoption and implementation of formal greenhouse gas (GHG) management policy. Furthermore, several states and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have recently adopted, or are in the process of adopting, regulations that will require many larger companies and organizations to measure, and report, their annual GHG emissions. While formal adoption and implementation of comprehensive GHG-management legislation may not be put into practice for several years, many companies are currently requiring their supply chain to measure and mitigate their GHG emissions. Additionally, many consumers have demonstrated a strong preference for vendors that can supply comparable products that are, “carbon neutral.”
Companies and organizations create GHG emissions both directly and indirectly. Examples of direct emissions include burning fossil fuels, such as oil or natural gas, to generate space or process heat. Transportation-related activities (e.g.: making deliveries or sales calls) also result in direct emissions due to combustion of diesel or gasoline. Consumption of electricity is an indirect GHG emission because the emissions themselves are not generated onsite. The organization that consumes the electricity is nevertheless responsible for the emissions associated with producing that electricity.
Printing companies use a lot of paper, and paper has a significant carbon footprint. Printing companies also consume large quantities of virgin-content aluminum to create press plates, and production of this aluminum also leads to considerable GHG emissions. By assessing all of Image Pressworks’ sources of GHG emissions (natural gas, gasoline, electricity, paper, aluminum, and ink), Carbon Solutions Northwest offered Image Pressworks, and its customers, an accurate snapshot of the company’s overall carbon footprint.
Image Pressworks’ next step towards achieving “carbon neutrality” will involve mitigating, or neutralizing, its carbon footprint. Such mitigation efforts may take two forms:
(1) internal action, and,
(2) acquisition of carbon offsets.
In all probability, internal action by Image Pressworks will involve development of onsite renewable-energy capacity. Such renewable-energy capacity could take the form of a modest (e.g.: 225kw) wind turbine, or it could involve installation of a solar roof. Either alternative would generate carbon-neutral electricity that will offset Image Pressworks’ own electricity consumption.
Mitigation of remaining emissions will involve acquisition of credible carbon offsets. Because Image Pressworks’ business relies on paper, and paper is a timber product, forestry offsets will most likely be used. Forestry offsets sequester carbon in trees, in forest foliage, and in root structures and soil.
Scott Norton, VP of Image Pressworks said, “Working with Carbon Solutions Northwest has brought a lot of value to our products, efficiency and customers. While some of our customers are requesting that we develop a strategy to measure and mitigate our carbon footprint, this action is an additional value proposition that we offer to all of our customers. We are now a more sustainable and efficient business.”
Alex Schay, the Owner of Carbon Solutions Northwest said, “We greatly value the relationship we have built with Image Pressworks while completing this timely, effective and cost-effective study. They have already shown their environmental leadership in the printing industry for their active recycling and energy efficiency projects. The carbon footprint analysis and mitigation strategies will yield further efficiencies. We look forward to continue working with Scott Norton and his staff to deliver mitigation strategies that make sense for their operational budgets.”
Image Pressworks provides printing services to premier Northwest-based companies such as Nike, Columbia Sportswear and Widmer Brothers Brewing. Founded in Portland in 1975, the company employs a unique mix of sheet fed and web press equipment, a state-of-the-art pre-press department and a full bindery including folding, pharmaceutical-folding, die-cutting, stitching, banding, shrink wrapping and fulfillment. For more information, visit www.imagepressworks.com.
Carbon Solutions Northwest (CSNW) helps small- and mid-sized companies inventory their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and create a strategy to mitigate such emissions. Relationships with project owners, carbon developers, carbon funds, and other prominent players within the “Carbon Space” position CSNW at the forefront of climate change policy and project management. In addition to carbon footprint services, the company offers mitigation strategies that include assistance with development of onsite renewable-energy projects and help with acquisition of credible and competitively-priced offsets. For more information, please visit www.carbonsolutionsnorthwest.com.
Contact information:
Alex Schay
Owner& Founder of Carbon Solutions Northwest
alex@carbonsolutionsnorthwest.com
503.460.9502
Andy Kaplan
Project Manager with Carbon Solutions Northwest
andy@carbonsolutionsnorthwest.com
503.544.2473
Scott Norton
Vice President of Image Pressworks
Scott.n@imagepressworks.com
503.328.2210
###
On June 26th, 2009, The US House of Representatives narrowly passed The American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act. This important victory brought the United States one step closer to adoption and implementation of formal greenhouse gas (GHG) management policy. Furthermore, several states and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have recently adopted, or are in the process of adopting, regulations that will require many larger companies and organizations to measure, and report, their annual GHG emissions. While formal adoption and implementation of comprehensive GHG-management legislation may not be put into practice for several years, many companies are currently requiring their supply chain to measure and mitigate their GHG emissions. Additionally, many consumers have demonstrated a strong preference for vendors that can supply comparable products that are, “carbon neutral.”
Companies and organizations create GHG emissions both directly and indirectly. Examples of direct emissions include burning fossil fuels, such as oil or natural gas, to generate space or process heat. Transportation-related activities (e.g.: making deliveries or sales calls) also result in direct emissions due to combustion of diesel or gasoline. Consumption of electricity is an indirect GHG emission because the emissions themselves are not generated onsite. The organization that consumes the electricity is nevertheless responsible for the emissions associated with producing that electricity.
Printing companies use a lot of paper, and paper has a significant carbon footprint. Printing companies also consume large quantities of virgin-content aluminum to create press plates, and production of this aluminum also leads to considerable GHG emissions. By assessing all of Image Pressworks’ sources of GHG emissions (natural gas, gasoline, electricity, paper, aluminum, and ink), Carbon Solutions Northwest offered Image Pressworks, and its customers, an accurate snapshot of the company’s overall carbon footprint.
Image Pressworks’ next step towards achieving “carbon neutrality” will involve mitigating, or neutralizing, its carbon footprint. Such mitigation efforts may take two forms:
(1) internal action, and,
(2) acquisition of carbon offsets.
In all probability, internal action by Image Pressworks will involve development of onsite renewable-energy capacity. Such renewable-energy capacity could take the form of a modest (e.g.: 225kw) wind turbine, or it could involve installation of a solar roof. Either alternative would generate carbon-neutral electricity that will offset Image Pressworks’ own electricity consumption.
Mitigation of remaining emissions will involve acquisition of credible carbon offsets. Because Image Pressworks’ business relies on paper, and paper is a timber product, forestry offsets will most likely be used. Forestry offsets sequester carbon in trees, in forest foliage, and in root structures and soil.
Scott Norton, VP of Image Pressworks said, “Working with Carbon Solutions Northwest has brought a lot of value to our products, efficiency and customers. While some of our customers are requesting that we develop a strategy to measure and mitigate our carbon footprint, this action is an additional value proposition that we offer to all of our customers. We are now a more sustainable and efficient business.”
Alex Schay, the Owner of Carbon Solutions Northwest said, “We greatly value the relationship we have built with Image Pressworks while completing this timely, effective and cost-effective study. They have already shown their environmental leadership in the printing industry for their active recycling and energy efficiency projects. The carbon footprint analysis and mitigation strategies will yield further efficiencies. We look forward to continue working with Scott Norton and his staff to deliver mitigation strategies that make sense for their operational budgets.”
Image Pressworks provides printing services to premier Northwest-based companies such as Nike, Columbia Sportswear and Widmer Brothers Brewing. Founded in Portland in 1975, the company employs a unique mix of sheet fed and web press equipment, a state-of-the-art pre-press department and a full bindery including folding, pharmaceutical-folding, die-cutting, stitching, banding, shrink wrapping and fulfillment. For more information, visit www.imagepressworks.com.
Carbon Solutions Northwest (CSNW) helps small- and mid-sized companies inventory their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and create a strategy to mitigate such emissions. Relationships with project owners, carbon developers, carbon funds, and other prominent players within the “Carbon Space” position CSNW at the forefront of climate change policy and project management. In addition to carbon footprint services, the company offers mitigation strategies that include assistance with development of onsite renewable-energy projects and help with acquisition of credible and competitively-priced offsets. For more information, please visit www.carbonsolutionsnorthwest.com.
Contact information:
Alex Schay
Owner& Founder of Carbon Solutions Northwest
alex@carbonsolutionsnorthwest.com
503.460.9502
Andy Kaplan
Project Manager with Carbon Solutions Northwest
andy@carbonsolutionsnorthwest.com
503.544.2473
Scott Norton
Vice President of Image Pressworks
Scott.n@imagepressworks.com
503.328.2210
###
Contact
Carbon Solutions Northwest
Andy Kaplan
503.544.2473
www.carbonsolutionsnorthwest.com
Andy Kaplan
503.544.2473
www.carbonsolutionsnorthwest.com
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