In recognizing this emerging industry and its benefits to the environment, TMBPartners is doing whatever we can to operate a more environmentally conscious business. No matter how large or small your business may be, environmentally conscious practices are something that should be at the forefront of your Marketing and communications messaging. Whether a company provides a specifically green product, service or resource, or is just looking to be a more Earth-friendly company - to avoid "green-washing," this important viewpoint must be proactively and credibly communicated to your customers.

Printing with quality "green" inks
TMBPartners always prefers to produce print materials using vegetable-based inks that are less harmful to the environment than traditional petroleum-based inks. Dramatically improved for high performance, vegetable-based inks are widely recognized as the "green choice." However, ingredients are only part of the story. Many raw materials emit toxic gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the manufacturing process. The VOC rate for commercially shelved inks runs from 25 to 35 percent, while that of vegetable-based inks ranges from 2 to 20 percent. TMBPartners is committed to using inks with the lowest VOC rating whenever available. We also support reuse and recycling programs, selecting vendors who are leaders in environmentally responsible practices. These practices include tight inventory control, reusing or recycling unused inks, and the use of vegetable inks that offer the lowest VOC rate-not soy inks alone.

Printing on the finest recycled papers
TMBPartners and our vendors are constantly searching for quality papers that create the least environmental impact during production. Whenever possible, we rely on 100 percent post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled fiber and process chlorine-free (PCF) papers. Ecoprint Offset papers that provide 100 percent PCW/PCF are available in 60# weight in either white or cream, 70# opaque white, and 80# cover weight. Widening the spectrum, TMBPartners offers several grades in matte and coated sheets as well as rag bond quality paper for special applications. All these papers are produced with 50 to 100 percent post-consumer recycled fiber and are PCF-free, eliminating the production of highly toxic dioxin during manufacturing. We also promote "tree-free papers" made from alternative plant fibers. Kenaf is easily grown domestically, yields up to five times more pulp per acre than trees, and can be converted into paper without the use of harmful chlorine. Industrial hemp, agricultural waste, and recycled cotton fiber are other options for viable "green" plant fibers.

Relying on FSC certified papers and printers
The logging industry has long been associated with habitat destruction, water pollution, violence against wildlife, and the displacement of people who once called the forest their home. Today, many consumers of wood and paper products, as well as forest-product companies, are working to dramatically reduce or eliminate these negative characteristics. The shared mission of responsibly managing and protecting the world's forests is embodied in Forest Stewardship Council certification - a symbol of the dedication to improve the practice of forestry. TMBPartners selects our printers for their FSC certification and we are happy to use the FSC logo on applicable projects for our clients.