Greg Hrinya, Editor08.04.23
Regardless of where label converters and suppliers are in their sustainability journey, TLMI has prioritized acknowledging companies that have emphasized the environment in their product development and operations.
The Calvin Frost Sustainability Leadership Awards, which are currently open for submissions, recognize all levels of sustainability efforts. The award process is open to any TLMI supplier or converter member.
“The Frosties” have been segmented into three categories to distinguish different levels in the sustainability journey. The Trailhead Award is earned by a member company that is early on in its sustainability journey. The company may not have fully implemented its sustainability efforts, but it has established some internal goals and begun planning a strategy. The Journey Award recognizes a member company that has already implemented some short-term actions aimed at long-term metrics, with the ability to report key metrics that are tracked, to improve their business through sustainability efforts. Finally, the Elevation Award goes to a member company that is leading the industry with fully formed sustainability goals, strategies, and executions that are improving multiple aspects of impacts on the environment and society. Elevation Award recipients will demonstrate significant, measurable, environmental and social benefits as a result of projects, products, or programs that go beyond regulatory requirements.
“The goal of The Frosties is to provide an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the steps that members are taking to be less impactful on the environment and innovate around products that can do that, as well,” explains Rosalyn Bandy, vice president of sustainability, TLMI. “Sustainability has long been a priority within TLMI and is part of our strategic plan pillars. Having a leadership role in the association provides members with a dedicated person as a resource and offers our sustainability-based committees substantial guidance and a vast network of like-minded thinkers.”
By establishing three distinct categories, TLMI has created an all-inclusive process designed to laud companies at all different stages of their sustainability journey. Thus far, feedback from members has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We didn’t want small converters to feel like they had to compete against global suppliers, so we created three levels: Trailhead, Journey, and Elevation, whereby companies can self-select, based on criteria, where they are in their sustainability journey,” notes Bandy. “We wanted companies to start where they are – even if they are just starting out.
“Members have been thrilled with the acknowledgement and have used the awards in marketing and talking about their sustainability commitments with customers,” she adds.
The awards also pay homage to one of the industry’s most prominent thought leaders in the space, Calvin Frost. A long-time columnist of L&NW, Frost has been instrumental in advocating for environmental measures in the label and package printing industry.
“Our friend Calvin has been relentless in banging the drum of sustainability,” states Bandy. “Not only has he pushed for people to start doing something, he has contacted recycling companies, negotiated fees, taught them that there is a place for liner and matrix byproduct that is not in a landfill. He has been a guiding star for all of us.”
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have option for suppliers and converters, especially as global brands establish lofty sustainability targets for 2025, 2030, and beyond. If industry players have yet to start their journey, there is no better time than the present.
“I think if you start out by looking at your operational impacts and tracking your energy use, carbon emissions and waste, that’s a lot of information that you can use to see where you need to improve,” says Bandy. “ISO 14001 is a great tool to do that and so is the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership. You can learn how to track, what to track, and get a certification in the end.”
Previous winners have displayed numerous traits, too. Many showcased a decreased waste disposal rate through source reduction, reuse, recycling, and/or prevention, while others highlighted a diversity and inclusion program to assist marginalized community members. Increased energy efficiency, including using renewable energy, has been prevalent, as has the reduced environmental impacts of materials through product innovation, a new technology, process, or purchasing plan. Plus, previous winners have implemented an environmental engagement or education program for employees and/or the community.
In 2022, Resource Label Group, ICONEX, Sun Chemical, and Syracuse Label & Surround Printing were recognized in the various categories for their sustainable accomplishments.
For those interested in participating in the process, they can submit an application here. Winners will be announced at TLMI’s Annual Meeting in October in Colorado Springs, CO, USA, and will receive global recognition.
The Calvin Frost Sustainability Leadership Awards, which are currently open for submissions, recognize all levels of sustainability efforts. The award process is open to any TLMI supplier or converter member.
“The Frosties” have been segmented into three categories to distinguish different levels in the sustainability journey. The Trailhead Award is earned by a member company that is early on in its sustainability journey. The company may not have fully implemented its sustainability efforts, but it has established some internal goals and begun planning a strategy. The Journey Award recognizes a member company that has already implemented some short-term actions aimed at long-term metrics, with the ability to report key metrics that are tracked, to improve their business through sustainability efforts. Finally, the Elevation Award goes to a member company that is leading the industry with fully formed sustainability goals, strategies, and executions that are improving multiple aspects of impacts on the environment and society. Elevation Award recipients will demonstrate significant, measurable, environmental and social benefits as a result of projects, products, or programs that go beyond regulatory requirements.
“The goal of The Frosties is to provide an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the steps that members are taking to be less impactful on the environment and innovate around products that can do that, as well,” explains Rosalyn Bandy, vice president of sustainability, TLMI. “Sustainability has long been a priority within TLMI and is part of our strategic plan pillars. Having a leadership role in the association provides members with a dedicated person as a resource and offers our sustainability-based committees substantial guidance and a vast network of like-minded thinkers.”
By establishing three distinct categories, TLMI has created an all-inclusive process designed to laud companies at all different stages of their sustainability journey. Thus far, feedback from members has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We didn’t want small converters to feel like they had to compete against global suppliers, so we created three levels: Trailhead, Journey, and Elevation, whereby companies can self-select, based on criteria, where they are in their sustainability journey,” notes Bandy. “We wanted companies to start where they are – even if they are just starting out.
“Members have been thrilled with the acknowledgement and have used the awards in marketing and talking about their sustainability commitments with customers,” she adds.
The awards also pay homage to one of the industry’s most prominent thought leaders in the space, Calvin Frost. A long-time columnist of L&NW, Frost has been instrumental in advocating for environmental measures in the label and package printing industry.
“Our friend Calvin has been relentless in banging the drum of sustainability,” states Bandy. “Not only has he pushed for people to start doing something, he has contacted recycling companies, negotiated fees, taught them that there is a place for liner and matrix byproduct that is not in a landfill. He has been a guiding star for all of us.”
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have option for suppliers and converters, especially as global brands establish lofty sustainability targets for 2025, 2030, and beyond. If industry players have yet to start their journey, there is no better time than the present.
“I think if you start out by looking at your operational impacts and tracking your energy use, carbon emissions and waste, that’s a lot of information that you can use to see where you need to improve,” says Bandy. “ISO 14001 is a great tool to do that and so is the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership. You can learn how to track, what to track, and get a certification in the end.”
Previous winners have displayed numerous traits, too. Many showcased a decreased waste disposal rate through source reduction, reuse, recycling, and/or prevention, while others highlighted a diversity and inclusion program to assist marginalized community members. Increased energy efficiency, including using renewable energy, has been prevalent, as has the reduced environmental impacts of materials through product innovation, a new technology, process, or purchasing plan. Plus, previous winners have implemented an environmental engagement or education program for employees and/or the community.
In 2022, Resource Label Group, ICONEX, Sun Chemical, and Syracuse Label & Surround Printing were recognized in the various categories for their sustainable accomplishments.
For those interested in participating in the process, they can submit an application here. Winners will be announced at TLMI’s Annual Meeting in October in Colorado Springs, CO, USA, and will receive global recognition.