The Following was printed in Seattle Business Monthly

AN ENVIROSTAR IS BORN
Rich Lancaster, president of Tukwila-based Printing Control, was lauded this spring for having a large still on his property. Actually, this "still" isn't for making moonshine-it's really a giant chemical distiller that recycles about 70 percent of the cleaning solvents used at Lancaster's printing operation.

Printing Control is one of nearly 600 Puget Sound-area companies to be recognized by EnviroStars, a certification program for local firms that show commitment to recycling, reducing waste and managing hazardous materials responsibly. Since it was founded in 1995 as part of King County's Local Hazardous Waste Management Program, EnviroStars has expanded to businesses in 60 cities throughout King, Jefferson, Kitsap, Piece and Whatcom counties.

Businesses that enroll in the EnviroStars program earn a rating from two to five stars, based on their level of commitment to the environment; five stars is the highest score, indicative of companies that not only recycle and manage hazardous wastes, but also work to prevent their generation as well. By using the distiller since 2001 and switching to a less hazardous solvent to clean the rollers on its presses, Printing Control has earned a five-star rating, Lancaster says.

The rating is especially important these days as more of Printing Control's clients are cultivating green image and requesting more recycled-content products. "We do work for Weyerhaeuser, Washington Mutual, Microsoft, Starbucks," Lancaster says. "There are a lot of companies around town that are interested in your environmental credentials." Beyond the PR-boost that can come from a favorable EnviroStars rating, Lancaster points out that there are many other benefits to being green, despite what Kermit the Frog says. "The better job we do of separating [cardboard, aluminum, paper, etc.], the better rebates we get from the recycling company," he explains. "Fifteen percent of our bottom line comes from recycling."

Article written by Evan Gross