Building a better supermarket industry by building a better book.
Andrew Cook, owner of software consulting firm A. Cook Associates, wrote the book on supermarket facilities management for a simple reason: the more efficiently grocery stores run, the cheaper and more accessible food becomes for the public.
Moving beyond recycled paper
Because Cook wanted to see the sustainability issues addressed in the book reflected in the printing itself, we made some careful choices. Roughstock actually began the design process for Supermarket Facilities Management at the end, by addressing future client needs. Cook would soon be updating the book, so our first decision was to print in limited runs to avoid outdated copies and excess waste. Next up: reduce raw materials required on press. The book's final size was carefully chosen to maximize the sheets used on press (without sacrificing comfort in the reader's hands). This step alone reduced paper trim waste by 15.9%.
Greening the entire supply chain
Roughstock selected a fellow certified green business to print the book. The company uses chemical-free plates and soy-based inks, and offsets its electricity usage with renewable wind power credits. The book was printed on New Leaf paper, also a local company, using 100% PCW recycled, non-chlorine stock. The savings? Almost 2,000 gallons of water, 3 million BTUs of energy, and over 400 pounds of greenhouse gasses.
What the client had to say
"While this is our first project with sustainability as a deliberate base requirement," Cook notes, "the positive result ensures that it will be a requirement for all communication efforts going forward. We could not have been more pleased with Roughstock Studios."
The final breakdown
- Reduced raw materials use by:
- Limiting print run
- Utilizing the entire press sheet
- Specifying 100% recycled paper (interior: 100% PCW; cover: 50% PCW)
- Reduced toxic chemical use by:
- Printing with soy-based inks
- Using a certified green printer
- Specifying chlorine-free paper
- Saved the following natural resources:
- 5 fully grown trees
- 1,865 gallons of water
- 3 million BTUs of energy
- 215 pounds of solid waste
- 420 pounds of greenhouse gasses
