Our Green Story
Environmental concerns at Shamrock are nothing new. We have been learning and developing processes that are compatible with the environment and community we live in, while maintaining economic viability.
Inks
Years ago, Shamrock Gift Wrap & Accessories converted its rotogravure ink systems to 100% water based. This major step greatly reduced emissions, eliminated solvent and ink waste, and created a better environment for our plant and outside community.
We undertook this change in technology before water based inks were fully developed. Our production personnel had to learn how to work with a new system and develop mechanical processes that accommodate the new inks. Over the years our ink suppliers have developed their products so that we can now print a complete palette of colors and finishes using inks that have positively impacted the environment.
Waste inks are kept to a minimum through computerized and automated ink blending and color matching systems. All waste inks are reformulated and used on upcoming press runs, which eliminate ink waste disposal.
Paper
Our papers come from several paper mills that support a variety of environmental initiatives from local to global programs. Our suppliers are involved with WWF (World Wildlife Fund), SFI (Sustainable Forest Initiative), FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), and are concerned with responsible forestry and recycling.
Each company has its own extensive forest conservation and preservation programs to insure they have a sustainable source of fiber. Forests are managed and protected from fire and disease, and there are extensive replanting efforts to perpetuate the forest into the future.
All our gift wrap papers are recyclable.
Thirteen of our gift wrap designs contain recycled fiber.
Retail Packaging Suppliers
Shamrock purchases a variety of retail packaging products from domestic and import sources. We find that purchasing domestic products is a great means to address environmental concerns, as most of our suppliers are equally concerned and are actively involved in being environmentally responsible in the manufacturing and use of “green” materials and processes.
Our Plant and Offices
Over a series of three separate construction initiatives, we have moved our warehouse, offices, and printing facilities to new buildings which brought about energy savings, efficiency in operations, and better outdoors environment.
- Our new buildings are well insulated and in most locations have low energy fluorescent lighting.
- Our grounds maintain undisturbed wetlands, a two acre pond, and a well-planted and landscaped campus.
- Our highly systemized approach to business helps reduce paper consumption.
- We have an ongoing recycling program managed by our IT department to make sure all out-dated computers and accessories are properly and cleanly recycled. None of our outdated electronic hardware goes to the land fill.
- Now that we are involved in the shipping of a variety of retail packaging products, we strive to mix pack and to save packing materials wherever possible.
- Corrugated and waste papers are bailed and recycled. Every paper component that is not used in the product itself is recycled.
- Plastic packaging is bailed and recycled as well.
- Presses have been rebuilt to facilitate greater efficiency, which yields reduced waste and a higher percentage of “good gift wrap footage”.
Our retail packaging catalogs are printed on paper that contains recycled fiber.
Please note that we have included a green leaf icon in our catalog to denote environmentally oriented products. Also the "made in U.S.A." notation is used for all domestic products.