Jeff Gillam, long time MET staffer raised $2,400 dollars during the Cops for Cancer Barbeque in North Vancouver on Thursday September 16th. His 9 year old nephew joined him and raised an additional $600. You can see by his before picture this was not to be taken lightly. Jeff shaved his hair for his sister Donna who is fighting cancer. See the Video from the North Shore News.

Vancouver, B.C.

Printing Industries of America (PIA), the worlds largest Graphic Arts Trade Association announced that the winner of the industries premier “Benny” award for outstanding Environmental Print Project goes to Metropoiltan Fine Printers for their work with MONTECRISTO Magazine.

The Premier Print Awards attracts entries from companies in North America, South America, Asia, Europe and the Pacific Rim.

“This is a particularly amazing award for our team” says George Kallas, Founder of Metropolitan Fine Printers. “The fact that our team is recognized for the environmental innovation they have put their heart and souls into for so many years is particularly gratifying. I am heartened to see printers following our lead in a growing market that understands the value of making environmentally considered work look beautiful. Many thanks to our friends at MONTECRISTO Magazine for having the foresight and commitment to this path.”

Factors influencing this award include MET’s colour optimization and experience printing on 100% recycled, FSC certified paper with Non VOC emitting UV inks. MET is a Carbon Free and Zero waste plant. Other innovations developed internally help other printers move toward a goal of sustainable print excellence.

Amongst 7 awards, this brings Metropolitan’s “Benny” total to an astounding 29 Best of Category awards, the most Benny’s ever won by any Canadian Printer.

For more information on how you can print beautifully with a conscience, please contact

Scott Gray

scott@metprinters.com

www.metprinters.com

Metropolitan Fine Printers goes carbon neutral

VANCOUVER—Metropolitan Fine Printers has partnered with B.C. government run The Pacific Carbon Trust to go carbon neutral. The deal means clients will have the option of buying carbon credits to offset their paper consumption on a per product basis.

The move to go carbon neutral is the latest in the companies attempts to be as environmentally friendly as possible, says business development manager Nikos Kallas. “We recycle, use FSC-certified paper, all of the processes within the company are as environmentally friendly as possible,” he says. “We thought this was the final seal to make sure we are as environmentally friendly as possible.”

Client response to the move has been great, says Kallas. “We work with high-end companies and government agencies,” he says. “They are set to become carbon neutral within the next few years as well, so response has been good.”

Kallas says Metropolitan Printers encourages an environmental focus in its clients, but doesn’t insist on it. “We try to push the most environmentally friendly products we can,” he says. “Some clients don’t have budgets for that, by the climate is pushing it that way anyways. Suppliers have realized that if they’re not doing the right thing they will lose clients.”

Metropolitan Fine Printers is a Vancouver-based printer with approximately $15 million in sales according to Graphic Monthly Canada’s 2009 Gold List. Its CEO, George Kallas was named 2009 Printer of the Year.

Vancouver, April 22, 2010: Metropolitan Fine Printers Inc (MET), announces “Carbon Neutrality”.

Upon completing the Climate Smart Program www.climate-smart.ca on April 4, 2010, MET made the decision to collaborate with Pacific Carbon Trust (PCT) www.pacificcarbontrust.com a Crown Agency. PCT’s main focus is to build BC’s low-carbon economy and work closely with local carbon offset initiatives; a “back yard” endeavor worthy of MET’s commitment.

On April 8, 2010, MET, an industry leader in sustainability was awarded the most Environmental Awards for any printer in Canada. MET has maximized its sustainability practices through attaining FSC Certification www.fsc.com, pioneering EISwww.enviroimagesolutions.com Blanket Reuse-Recycle program, employing MET UV, volatile organic compound (VOC) free inks, and recycling within the organization. Attaining Carbon Neutral was the final seal on ensuring a clean environmental future and best sustainable practice in print and in all business functions at MET.

“It was only natural that we move to Carbon Neutrality. From now on, everything printed here at Metropolitan will be 100% Carbon Neutral and clients will have the option to buy carbon credits to offset their paper consumption on a per project basis. We are very excited and happy with this accomplishment” – George Kallas, President, Metropolitan Fine Printers.

“Metropolitan is not only setting the bar for the printing industry, but has a unique opportunity to send a message of sustainability to its many clients. We are pleased to be a part of that important message – and congratulate Metropolitan on achieving carbon neutrality.” – Scott MacDonald, CEO, Pacific Carbon Trust

For more information, or assistance on how you and your company can become Carbon Neutral, please contact:

Nikos Kallas
Business Development Manager,
(604)254-4201

nikos@metprinters.com

Metropolitan Fine Printers completed the Climate Smart Program at the end of March 2010. Climate Smart assisted Metropolitan with a strategy to become carbon neutral by early summer of 2010. The Program included an understanding of how to reduce annual emissions of CO2e by becoming zero waste, source locally where possible, implement a paper reduction plan and a staff engagement program.