1. Reduce Energy Use
You don’t have to jump right into costly upgrades, like installing solar panels, to shrink your shop’s carbon footprint (and help your shop’s bottom line in the process). There are a lot of simple steps you can take to reduce energy use, says Marci Kinter, SGIA vice president and chair of the SGP technical committee: Maintain your equipment, change out your lightbulbs, make sure you don’t have a leaky air compressor, draft energy-reducing policies. “It can be something as simple as having a mandate that you turn off all of your lights and computers when you leave the building,” Kinter says.

2. Streamline Operations
Incorporating lean manufacturing concepts into your shop helps reduce waste, save time and improve your operating margins. “Whenever you’re eliminating waste, that’s more sustainable,” says Ryan Moor, CEO of Ryonet and co-founder of Allmade Apparel.

3. Recycle and Reuse
Before you make a big purchase for your shop, consider alternatives with a lower impact. “Every small decision adds up,” says Drew Mueske, owner of Offbeat Press in Oshkosh, WI. “As we’ve expanded, we’ve reused and repurposed, building washout booths, drying cabinets, folding tables and racks out of repurposed materials.”

4. Align With Likeminded Partners
“Don’t just buy the cheapest rag out there when you have no idea where it’s coming from, who made it or how it was made,” says Chris Fox, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Hanesbrands. “Come to folks that can tell you exactly how it was made and under what condition it was made. If you’re serious about sustainability, buy from others who are serious about it.”

5. Use Eco-Friendly Supplies
If you’re a screen printer, consider switching to water-based inks. “We only use nontoxic inks, no discharge, nothing with chemicals or formaldehyde, no PVC or phthalates,” says Jamie Dillon, owner of Print Natural in Philadelphia.

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