Closing the Loop: DG3’s Innovative Recycling and Waste Reduction Strategies
Eric Genova – Senior VP Professional Services – 8:00am April 17, 2025
How We’re Rethinking Waste to Build a More Sustainable Print Future
Welcome to another edition of the DG3 Sustainability Series. In this chapter, we’re looking beyond energy and sourcing to another crucial part of the sustainability equation: waste. At DG3, we believe the job isn’t done when the ink dries. It’s also about what happens to the scraps, trimmings, and materials that don’t make it into the final product—and how we can use smarter systems to make sure nothing goes to waste.
Zeroing in on Waste
The printing industry, like many others, has historically produced significant waste. But today, we’re closing the loop. DG3 has developed a comprehensive waste management strategy that focuses on reduction, reuse, and recycling at every stage of production.
Paper Recycling: From Offcuts to Opportunity
One of our most impactful efforts is our paper recycling program. Every scrap, offcut, and unused sheet from our print production process is sorted, collected, and recycled through certified partners. Nothing usable is left behind. This not only diverts tons of waste from landfills annually—it also conserves resources and reduces the demand for virgin fiber.
Ink and Chemical Stewardship
We go beyond paper. DG3 uses eco-friendly, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) inks and ensures that all residual chemicals and cleaning agents are safely captured and disposed of according to strict environmental protocols. We’re also continually testing new materials and processes that minimize chemical usage altogether.
Equipment That Thinks Green
Our investment in state-of-the-art digital and offset printing technology has enabled us to reduce overproduction and improve accuracy, which means less waste from the start. Precision = efficiency = sustainability.
Employee Engagement
Sustainability is a team effort. Across our facilities, DG3 staff are trained in waste sorting, recycling protocols, and sustainability best practices. We foster a culture of accountability and innovation, where reducing waste isn’t just a policy—it’s a mindset.
The Bigger Picture
Waste reduction isn’t about a single initiative. It’s about a systems-based approach that permeates everything we do. Whether it’s finding a second life for a leftover pallet or rethinking how proofs are printed and shared, we’re always asking: how can we do this better?
We know that closing the loop takes work—but it’s work worth doing. And it’s another way we’re proving that sustainability in print isn’t a contradiction—it’s a commitment.
Learn more at www.dg3.com
Stay tuned for the next chapter in the DG3 Sustainability Series. Because when it comes to protecting the planet, every step counts.