Howard Printing Reduces Environmental Impact

February 2010, BRATTLEBORO, VT — Howard Printing, Inc., is committed to limiting our environmental impact and helping create a more sustainable future for us all. One of the many steps we are taking includes offsetting our electricity use and carbon emissions by purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) and carbon offsets through Renewable Choice Energy, based in Colorado.

Our commitment through Renewable Choice Energy helps to save natural resources; support farmers and ranchers who earn money from leasing their land; reduce our CO2 emissions and clean the air for everyone; reduce our dependence on fossil fuels; generate awareness for supporting clean technology projects; and increase the demand for new projects.

The impact of Howard Printing’s action helps to avoid up to 165,020 pounds (75 metric tons) of carbon dioxide emissions from being emitted into the atmosphere. This commitment has a similar impact as 679 fully mature trees planted; 165,020 miles not driven by an average passenger car; and 14 passenger cars off the road for one year.

According to Renewable Choice Energy, “Renewable energy (also referred to as clean energy or green energy) is defined as ‘energy derived from resources that are regenerative, or for all practical purposes, cannot be depleted.’ The use of wind, water, and solar power are widespread in developed and developing countries. Yet the mass production of electricity using renewable energy sources has become more commonplace, only recently, reflecting the concern for climate change due to pollution, exhaustion of fossil fuels, and the environmental, social and political risks of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

“Renewable energy credits are a market mechanism that represents the environmental benefits associated with generating electricity from renewable energy sources. A wind farm is credited with one renewable energy credit (REC) for every 1,000 kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity it produces, or 1 megawatt hour (MWh). A certifying agency gives each REC a unique identification number to make sure it doesn’t get double-counted. The clean energy is then fed into the national electrical grid. RECs are the industry standard for accounting for renewable energy product. They represent: electricity generated from a renewable resource, and the additional cost and value of renewable energy.

“Carbon offsets are designed to balance out carbon dioxide emissions that are produced by businesses and individuals. Carbon offsets are investments in projects that reduce or prevent a measured amount of emissions from entering the atmosphere. Carbon offsets are purchased by individuals, businesses and governments to take responsibility for carbon emissions produced by electricity consumption, air travel, driving and other carbon-rich activities. Projects that can offset emissions include reforestation and conservation, methane capture and renewable energy.”

Founded in 1991, Howard Printing is a full-service commercial printing company providing offset and digital printing, graphic design and desktop publishing services, computer-to-plate prepress technologies, and bindery operations. In addition, Howard Printing is the publisher of the New England Showcase real estate magazine ( and two Vermont coloring books.

For more information, visit Howard Printing’s “Green” page online at or call 802-254-3550.