text: Hemlock Printers goes from Zero to 6 million in just two years time
  Partnership with Offsetters is good for both business and the environment
  Jan. 18th, 2011, Vancouver, BC – Just two years after introducing Zero, a carbon-neutral printing program, Hemlock Printers has reached the major milestone of printing 6 million individual carbon-neutral pieces and, in the process, offsetting more than 1,700 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
  Zero was introduced to the marketplace in 2009 in partnership with Offsetters, Canada's leading carbon management solutions provider. Under the program, Hemlock's clients can opt to offset the emissions associated with their print job, rendering the project carbon neutral. Since the launch of Zero, Hemlock has worked with more than 170 unique clients to print more than 465 carbon-neutral projects.
  "It's a privilege for all of us here at Offsetters to work with the top-notch team at Hemlock Printers, a company hailed as Canada's most environmentally progressive printer for six consecutive years," said Kari Grist, Offsetters, senior vice president of marketing and client engagement. "Since 2008, we've helped Hemlock achieve and maintain their carbon-neutral status and launch the Zero program – two major milestones on the journey to become, one day, the world's greenest printer."
  To calculate what it would take for a print project to become carbon neutral, Offsetters has worked with Hemlock to calculate the carbon emissions from the paper's lifecycle (based on weight, grade and recycled content), as well as the emissions associated with transportation of the paper. Based on these calculations, Zero participants can offset their climate impact with an investment in high-quality renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that achieve tangible reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
  Hemlock's sustainability initiatives have been good for both the environment and for business. Richard Kouwenhoven, senior vice president of customer service and business development, credits Hemlock's carbon neutrality and green reputation as the reason for his company success at winning both large contracts over industry competitors as well as a number of awards, including the inaugural international Heidelberg Eco Printing Award for Most Sustainable Printing Company and the Capital Regional District of Victoria's EcoStar Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.
  "The response to this program has been incredible, having been adopted by a very diverse range of customers both in Canada and the United States," said Kouwenhoven. "Thanks go to these customers for their commitment. We look forward to the evolution and expansion of this program in the years ahead."
  To learn more about Hemlock Printers or Offsetters and how other organizations are benefitting from managing their climate impact, visitwww.hemlock.com or www.offsetters.ca.