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What is PNEAC?

Welcome to the Printers' National Environmental Assistance Center!

PNEAC is your direct conduit to experts and reliable information on environmental issues related to the printing, publishing and packaging industry.

Here you will find information on:

If you have additional questions or do not find what you are searching for, PNEAC's technical experts will be glad to assist you. Assistance is confidential and free of charge.

PNEAC Announcements

PNEAC Seeks Publication of the Year for 2012
Do you have an environmentally focused article or publication that you are proud of and want to share with others? It could be just what the Printers’ National Environmental Assistance Center (PNEAC) is seeking for the 2012 Publication of the Year. PNEAC is seeking to honor the best and most significant journal article, fact sheet, report, or book on the subject of environmental issues in the printing industry published within the past 18 months.

The publication must be focused on a technology, practice, strategy, or success story in the printing industry involving sustainability or that reduces pollution, eliminates waste, improves material usage, conserves energy, or improves compliance with environmental or safety regulations. It can be an article, book, or fact sheet published between January 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012. The publication may be nominated by anyone (the author, a colleague, a reader, etc.), and it may reference vendors or be written by a vendor. However, the item must indicate the real benefits associated with the action and not simply unproven claims.

Judging criteria for the award will include:

  • Effectiveness helping U.S. printers improve their performance relative to one or more of the following:
    • compliance with environmental regulations
    • reduction of wastes, effluents, and emissions
    • reduction of energy consumption
    • environmental performance of the printed product
    • environmental sustainability of operations, products, and/or practices
    • health and safety of printing employees
  • The innovation incorporated in the practices, technologies, or strategies described in the publication
  • The quality of writing

Nominations for PNEAC 2012 Publication of the Year are due by June 1, 2012. Winners will be announced at Graph Expo in Chicago, October 2012.

To nominate a publication for the award, please complete the online form and upload a digital file (pdf) of the publication here.

Alternatively, mail five copies of the publication with a letter of nomination to:

PNEAC Publication of the Year
c/o Wayne Pferdehirt
University of Wisconsin
320 Lowell Center
610 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53703

Previous winners of the PNEAC Publication of the year award are listed below:
  • 2009: “Calculating and Reducing Your Carbon Footprint,” Paul Jakubski, GATF World, June 2008.
  • 2009: Flexo magazine, 4-edition series on environmentally sustainable printing, Winter, Spring, Fall and Year End, 2008.
  • 2008: "Green 101," Labels & Labeling, April/May 2007
  • 2008: "Shades of Green," Georgia Printer, October 2007
  • 2008: "Green Converting," Paper, Film & Foil Converter, September 2007
  • 2007: "Waste Automatic Blanket Wash Causes EPA Troubles," Gary Jones, GATF World

PNEAC News

Electronic Waste Transformation
5.11.12
Source: Chemical & Engineering News, 4/2/12
Summary: For years, African countries have been a dumping ground for outdated electronic equipment, mainly from Europe. Now, rapidly expanding use of computers and mobile phones within Africa is generating more electronic waste--or e-waste--than is imported, according to the United Nations. African countries, however, are seeking to make a silk purse out of the sow's ear that is their e-waste problem. At a meeting convened in Nairobi, Kenya, last month by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) with support from several electronics manufacturers, 18 African governments endorsed a strategy. They intend to transform informal material-recovery efforts into a regulated recycling industry that generates economic development and controls pollution.

Ecosystem Effects of Biodiversity Loss Could Rival Impacts of Climate Change and Pollution
5.10.12
Source: Environmental Protection
Summary: Loss of biodiversity appears to impact ecosystems as much as climate change, pollution and other major forms of environmental stress, according to a new study from an international research team.

Upcycle Your Old Phone and Help a Child in Need
5.10.12
Source: Earth911.com
Summary: Electronics upcycling is a win-win situation for consumer and recycler. The consumer gets to keep his or her old device out of landfills, sometimes gets paid for the contribution and gets a sweet new phone out of the process. The recycler gets to turn a profit and have a green reputation.

Study: Plastic in 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch' increases 100-fold
5.9.12
Source: MSNBC, 5/9/12
Summary: The amount of plastic trash in the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" has increased 100-fold during the past 40 years, causing "profound" changes to the marine environment, according to a new study. Scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego found that insects called "sea skaters" or "water striders" were using the trash as a place to lay their eggs in greater numbers than before. In a paper published by the journal Biology Letters, researchers said this would have implications for other animals, the sea skaters' predators -- which include crabs -- and their food, which is mainly plankton and fish eggs. The scientists also pointed to a previous Scripps study that found nine percent of fish had plastic waste in their stomachs.

EcoATM raises $17M to bring e-waste kiosks to you
5.7.12
Source: Smart Planet, 5/3/12
Summary: The average U.S. household owns 24 different consumer electronic devices, many of which are no longer being used. Some devices end up stashed in a drawer (you know the one). Other obsolete or broken devices -- nearly 2.4 million tons in a year according to the most recent EPA figures -- are tossed into landfills. Electronic waste is considered the fastest-growing portion of the municipal waste stream. And yet, inside these devices are valuable resources including silver, gold, aluminum, copper and titanium that could be reclaimed. San Diego-based startup ecoATM has developed kiosks that can be placed in grocery stores and malls to make the electronics recycling process so convenient that consumers will change their wasteful habits.

PNEAC News Archive

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The PNEAC Web site is supported by ISTC at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

 

Cheapest Ink Cartridges
ESM, LC
SafetyNet Inc.
Universal Funding Corporation

Storm Drain
The Industrial Stormwater Permit Guide is now available. This guide explains federal stormwater regulations for business, and the options available for compliance.

Hazardous Waste ManifestWatch the PNEAC Hazardous Waste Manifest Training Video

Spilled Drum Hazardous Material Reportable Quantity Release Calculator

Sustainable Green Printing Partnership
The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership is an independent registration organization that recognizes those printers that have met the criteria that define sustainable business practices. Please visit the SGP website for more information.

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