Sustainability luncheon indicates growing environmental concern regarding print

A ‘Brands Talking Sustainability Luncheon’ will take place at the SGIA Expo in the US on 18 October, reflecting a growing focus on the subject in relation to print.

The speakers will be: Libra Balian, brand leaders chair, Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP); Brian Hite, president, Image Options; and Yalmaz Siddiqui, vice president of corporate sustainability, MGM Resorts. Balian, Hite and Siddiqui’s expertise stems from years in the retail, hospitality and printing industries. They’ll provide a wide range of viewpoints, including sustainability efforts that matter to customers. Balian, a fierce advocate for sustainable printing operations, has been in the printing world for over 20 years, from her time at the advertising agency AR New York, to her most recent position as senior director of marketing operations at ANN. Hite brings 37 years of graphics production industry experience, and in his tenure, has worked to drive lean production and sustainable operation at Image Options, the first large-format digital printing facility in California to obtain SGP Certification. In his time with MGM Resorts, Siddiqui has helped develop the company’s overall environmental management programme. He is responsible for creating policies and goals and reporting on the company’s sustainability efforts, and leads initiatives in areas such as food waste reduction, environmentally-preferable purchasing, materials management and sustainable events.