By Kathy Gottberg (7/8/10)

            Signs By Tomorrow is a local sign company known for their overnight delivery and superior customer service.  However, now the “tomorrow” in their company name also points to the future—and that future is green.   Co-owners Al Keve and Larry Deitz recently made the significant business decision to replace their primary printing equipment with the latest commercial printer designed with the environment in mind—the HP L25500 Designjet.

         The environmental benefits of the HP L25500 Designjet are considerable.   Not only does it produce signs and graphics on a wide range of flexible media for both outdoors and indoors, it does it in a way that is good for people and the planet.  Most notable in contrast to traditional printers, the L25500 uses Latex Ink, which is odorless, non-toxic and contains no VOC  (volatile organic compounds.)  Anyone who has ever set foot in a sign or print shop, and inhaled the strong fumes of traditional paint and ink, recognizes the industry-wide benefit of such a development to both clients and employees.

            Another noteworthy advantage to the L25500 Designjet is that all of the ink cartridges and print heads can be recycled back to HP by the company, free of charge.  In fact, even the printer itself is 85% recyclable by weight at the end of its life.   Plus, the L25500 is ENERGY STAR qualified, which means that it meets strict energy efficiency guidelines without sacrificing performance—or productivity.

            But the incentives don’t stop there.   Besides being fully recyclable to the company, HP has launched a range of media to complement the printer, seven of which are recyclable to the customer.  These include traditional paper products that are recyclable through commonly available city recycling programs.  More unusual are the banner materials that have been invented by HP that can be returned for free and recycled via the HP Large-format Media take-back program.

            Clearly, a major benefit to purchasing such an innovative and expensive printer is the enhanced working environment for the owners and their employees.  But that advantage also extends to every one of their clients.  Most signs purchased from any sign company usually off-gases (and smells) for several days if not weeks following purchase—and those odors and VOCs are affecting the environment of the clients whether they are aware of it or not.    Any business that uses signs or banners that affect the public (i.e. grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals, schools, hotels etc) should consider this factor when buying and proceed accordingly.  Plus, any business that calls itself “green” and/or sustainable should also attempt to purchase the greenest and most environmentally responsible products on the market whenever possible.  The good news is, the price-point for printing on the L25500 is the same to the customer.  The only time there is an addition charge to “go green” is when a specialty media is selected and used.

            Signs By Tomorrow also practices a number of other environmentally friendly and sustainable steps in their business qualifying them as  “green”.   Both Al and Larry drive a Nissan Altima Hybrid that they use for most small deliveries, meetings and consultations.  They also recycle most office equipment, paper and other products through the business that are accepted by the local recycler.  Beyond that, they make every effort to reuse any part of signs (primary large wooden outdoor signs) if possible, rather than merely throw them into the landfill and buy new.  They also practice energy efficiency by powering down the A/C and lights at night.  These, and other actions are the small but necessary steps every business can take to benefit the planet.