Join the cooperative
The Print The Change eG is a pan-European cooperative of printing companies that produce in accordance with the Cradle to Cradle principle: passionate pioneers in eco-friendly printing. Looking for new partners to join in.
Our vision
International networkA network extending throughout the world, the cooperative is made up of printing companies in the Cradle to Cradle segment and their supporters. | Ecology benchmarkingThe cooperative is setting green benchmarks for the global printing industry. As a prerequisite, the production must meet the criteria of sustainability, high-end quality and competitive prices. | Cradle to Cradle developmentThe cooperative is collaborating on the development of additional Cradle to Cradle printing products. Salutary products without any problematic substances – good for the nature, good for our health. | Sharing of knowledgeThe cooperative constitutes the information and knowledge portal for green printing to spread the news. |
Your benefits
Take advantage of the opportunity to position your printing company as a pioneer with a Cradle to Cradle certificate. Being part of the cooperative will enable you to avoid lengthy development work and save costs you would otherwise incur along the way.
This puts you in a position to offer your customers the most advanced green printing standard in the world within a very short period of time. Your benefits at a glance:
Unique selling proposition
just some printing companies worldwide can print Cradle to Cradle thus far
door-opener for new customers
existing customers more strongly tied to the company
no keen competition among partners
Trendsetter image
innovative company
recognizes the ecological necessities of our time
trend towards circular economy
Benefits of a membership
Cooperation for speed
immediate entry into the premium segment of ecoprinting (Cradle to Cradle is regarded as the highest sustainable printing standard in the world)
directly access to the multi-year know-how of the partners
no development time for analysation and certification of the materials
no testing of materials with uncertain outcome
no search for cooperating suppliers
Cost saving
in basic development
in future development projects
in joint purchasing/acquisition
Strong cooperation
coordination of joint projects for materials development (Roadmap)
sharing of experiences
marketing modules
How does it work?
Who grants C2C certification?
The certificate is issued in the USA by the Cradle to Cradle™ Products Innovation Institute (C2C PII for short). C2C PII developed the requirements concerning the production facility and the materials used.
Which steps do I have to take to obtain the certificate for my printed products?
- An assessment of the production facility is necessary: RENEWABLE ENERGY, WATER STEWARDSHIP and SOCIAL FAIRNESS will be checked. This assessment can be performed by Vugge til Vugge, for instance.
- If the assessment arrives at a positive conclusion, Print the Change Cooperative can share its knowledge on MATERIALS and REUTILIZATION.
- Vugge til Vugge forwards the materials information and assessment results on to C2C PII.
- C2C PII issues the certificate.
- Production can start.
How long will it take to get the certificate?
If the environmental data at the site are well documented, the assessment can be completed within about two months.
C2C PII’s review of the documents in the US can take approximately six to eight weeks.
How much does it cost to become a cooperative member?
The costs consist of the one-off costs for the material and communication kits and an annual membership fee.
In addition, there are the costs charged by Vugge til Vugge for the assessment and creation of the documents to be submitted and those charged by the C2C PII for their review of the documents and issuance of the certificate.
Which technical requirements does a printing company have to meet in order to print Cradle to Cradle?
The materials were developed for sheet-fed offset printing.
Are there any other requirements for becoming a cooperative member?
We are happy to welcome any owner-operated printing companies that have earned a reputation as a pioneer in green printing.
Does a company need to have extensive internal resources to implement the process successfully?
Assuming that the company is already working with an environmental management system, the investment of resources necessary is manageable. And all cooperative members are happy to help by sharing their expertise and experience.
How often does a business need to have itself recertified?
Every two years
Who should I contact if I am interested in becoming a member?
Ernst Gugler would be happy to hear from you.
Ernst Gugler, CEO, gugler* GmbH
ernst.gugler@printthechange.coop
Mobil: +43 664 608 42 100
How it all began
The Cradle to Cradle concept originated in the 1990s, the brainchild of chemist Prof. Michael Braungart and architect Willliam Mc Donough. Taking inspiration from nature, their aim was to close the loop of technical and biological cycles, which requires that products be designed with this in mind and that no harmful substances are used in their production. The result: a world with no waste.
The profoundly innovative process requires the use of materials that are free of any substances that might be harmful (e.g. for the biological cycle), the use of renewable energy sources, rigorous water stewardship and fair working conditions.
Globally, more than 2,000 products have already been invented and certified, ranging from cleaning products, textiles and trainers to furniture and even homes. C2C Products
It is an idea that has fascinated many, including Ernst Gugler, the owner of a printing company in Melk, near Vienna in Austria. In November 2011, after nearly two years of R&D, gugler* succeeded in earning a Cradle to Cradle Certified™ certificate for printed products, the first printing company in the world to do so.
In order to promote this revolutionary way of printing internationally, gugler * launched in 2015 together with the Danish partner KLS Pureprint A/S the Print the Change Community and expanded it in 2016 with the Swiss printer Vögeli AG. In 2019 the Community has acquired a strong framework in the form of the foundation of the Print the Change eG (legal form of cooperative). The founders of the Print the Change eG are Ernst Gugler (CEO of the gugler* printing company in Austria and Chairman of the cooperative), Kasper Larsen (CEO of KLS PurePrint in Denmark) and Markus und Renato Vögeli (CEOs of Vögeli AG, Switzerland). The cooperative’s registered office is in Melk, Austria.
Now, we would like to share our knowledge with Europe’s most sustainable printing companies to set benchmarks for green printing and healthy printed products. Members can request site certification as soon as they have signed the contract, and print using the existing Cradle to Cradle certified materials – so they can operate in the market as a supplier of the world’s highest ecological printing standard. There is no need for protracted and pricey research and development processes, as the founding companies have already taken these on. Currently over 20 certified materials and a wealth of experience are available to members.
Would you like to get involved? If so, we would be happy to hear from you!
Press
The report “Drucken nach dem «Cradle to Cradle»-Prinzip” of our member Vögeli.
Would you like to get involved?
Survey
Loading ...