1.07.2008 - 03:34pm ET

(CSRwire) SUSSEX, Wis., January 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Quad/Graphics, the hemisphere's largest privately held commercial printer, has registered all 10 of its core U.S. printing plants for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The accomplishment puts Quad/Graphics on target to be the first printer of its kind to have all its major manufacturing sites designated as green buildings.

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LEED is a voluntary green building rating system that provides measurable benchmarks for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. The system was developed by the USGBC, a non-profit organization committed to promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable building practices.

Quad/Graphics will achieve LEED certification for each facility by meeting certain criteria in five different areas: sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resource selection, and indoor environmental quality. The company intends to have its Sussex, Wis., headquarters certified by mid-2008 and all remaining plants certified thereafter.

"Quad/Graphics has always been committed to doing business in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way, and we already meet many of the criteria necessary for LEED certification," said President & CEO Joel Quadracci. "Through LEED, we'll verify through an independent third party that our buildings and facilities operate as green as possible. We know this brings tangible value to our employees and our clients, and once again reinforces that what's good for the environment is also good for business."

Already Quad/Graphics has comprehensive recycling operations, recycling 98.5 percent of all waste leaving its plants, including paper, fluorescent lamps, co-mingled containers, metal, plastic, wood and concrete. The company actively promotes carpooling and subsidizes a bus route from Milwaukee, Wis., to its suburban Sussex and Pewaukee plants. At its printing facility in West Allis, Wisconsin, native prairie plants reduce the flow of rainwater into storm sewers and minimize grounds maintenance.

As the company pursues certification, it will implement additional green practices and processes, including more robust energy and water management systems that build on its existing success.

The company's LEED-certification announcement comes on the heels of two recent awards for environmental stewardship.

In late October 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented Quad/Graphics with an Environmental Excellence Award for its participation in the SmartWay(SM) Transport Partnership. The award recognizes Quad/Graphics' leadership in reducing emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from its freight transport activities. In 2006 alone, Quad/Graphics prevented the emission of 11,878 tons of carbon dioxide -- the equivalent of taking 2,332 passenger cars off the road. It also prevented the emission of 70.5 tons of nitrous oxide and 1.13 tons of particulate matter.


Earlier in October, Quad/Graphics received the Going Green Recognition Award for the way it integrates and balances economic growth, social equity and environmental management into its business practices. The award was presented at Wisconsin 75 annual awards program sponsored by the Milwaukee office of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, a professional services firm that provides audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services. The Wisconsin 75 program spotlights the largest closely held businesses headquartered in the state and recognizes their contributions to the Wisconsin economy.

About Quad/Graphics

Sussex, Wis.-based Quad/Graphics (http://www.QG.com) has long been known for its environmental stewardship and social responsibility, garnering a long list of local, state and national honors. These include the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce's Business Friend of the Environment Award, the Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air and the Department of Natural Resources Clean Air Recognition Award, the Climate Wise Partner Achievement Award, the National Air Filtration Association's Clean Air Award, the American Forest & Paper Association's Recycling Award, and the Rainforest Alliance's Sustainability Award.

Quad/Graphics is the largest privately held printer of magazines, catalogs and other commercial products in the Western Hemisphere. It has 12,000 employees worldwide and boasts annual sales of $2 billion.

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