Blue Ridge Graphics (asi/581668) says it’s long had a focus on sustainable business practices. Now, the Charlottesville, VA-based apparel decorator has the certification to prove it.

The company recently received certification through the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) for meeting environmental standards, which Blue Ridge says makes it the only apparel screen printer in the U.S. to hold the certification.

Blue Ridge Graphics in Charlottesville, VA, focuses on sustainable printing practices.

“We’re so happy to have successfully completed the SGP certification process,” said Jackson Kulick, general manager at Blue Ridge Graphics. “This has been something we have wanted to achieve for many years, and having that third-party validation is a symbol of our dedication to our planet, our employees and our customers.”

SGP certification, open to printers of all kinds, requires companies to go through a 12-month vetting process where each aspect of the business is evaluated. The certification verifies that the printer is focused on continuous improvement in all areas of business, including environmental, health, safety, labor, energy, indoor air quality, waste and recycling.

The apparel decorator says it has developed a number of environmentally friendly business practices over the years, including using water-based inks for apparel printing, solar energy to power its facilities, a bioremediating washing system for screen-printing inks and a post-production filtration system. Blue Ridge Graphics also says it has enhanced efforts to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost waste.

But, notes Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Craig, the apparel decorator won’t be resting on its laurels. “Continuous improvement is critical to success as an SGP-certified printer, so we will always be looking for ways to be better stewards,” she told ASI Media.

For instance, Kulick recently told NBC29 that his company is currently exploring the use of algae-based inks for screen printing.

Founded in 1979, Blue Ridge Graphics is a second-generation family-owned and operated business that specializes in screen printing, embroidery and promotional products. Its clients include university athletics and educational institutions, local businesses and retailers, and international musicians.

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