Earth Day is a good reminder that the choices we make every day matter. At Friesens, caring for the environment isn’t just a once-a-year conversation, it’s something that’s built into how we work, how we print, and how we think about the future of book manufacturing.
As a Manitoba-based company, our connection to the land runs deep. Surrounded by wide open prairie skies and rooted in a small community, we’re always understood that taking care of our environment isn’t optional…it’s part of being a good neighbour and employer. When you live and work in a close-knit community, environmental responsibility isn’t abstract…it’s personal.
From the paper we choose to the way we power our facilities, sustainability has long been a part of who we are. We often say it’s a “legacy of green”, and that legacy continues to guide us forward.
THOUGHTFUL CHOICES, FROM FOREST TO FINISHED BOOK
Paper is at the heart of what we do, which means responsible sourcing matters. Friesens is proud to be FSC-certified, ensuring that the paper we use comes from responsibly managed forests. For publishers looking to reduce their environmental impact even further, we also offer 100% post-consumer waste (PCW) paper options…proof that sustainability and quality can go hand and hand.
Beyond certification, Friesens has an Ancient and Endangered Forest Friendly Procurement Policy, which guides how we source fibre and helps protect high-carbon and high-value forest ecosystems. It’s one more way we work to ensure that the books we produce today don’t come at the expense of tomorrow’s forests.
PRINTING PRACTICES THAT PUT THE PLANET FIRST
Sustainability doesn’t stop with paper. Inside our plants, we take a close look at how materials and resources are used…and reused.
In many of our presses we print using vegetable-based inks with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which helps maintain cleaner air and a safer working environment for our employee-owners. Many of our ink supplied arrive in reusable containers, reducing single-use waste before it even reaches the pressroom.
Waste reduction is a major focus, too. Friesens bales and recycles 100% of paper waste from our pressroom, bindery, prepress, and offices, along with aluminum printing plates and other recyclable materials. Every step is tracked and evaluated so we can continue finding smarter, more efficient ways to do our work.
POWERED BY RENEWABLE ENERGY
Here in Manitoba, where renewable power is part of our identity, where our energy comes from matters just as much as how we use it. Friesens’ production facilities are powered in part by renewable hydroelectric and wind energy, helping reduce the environmental footprint of every book that rolls off our presses. It’s a behind-the-scenes choice, but one that makes a meaningful difference.
SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH SMART DECISION-MAKING
Sometimes sustainability is about the big picture, and sometimes it’s about the small, practical choices made along the way.
Our team works closely with publishers to help them make informed decisions at every stage of production. That might mean selecting the right paper for a project’s purpose, choosing between offset or digital printing, or planning print runs that minimize excess and waste. Every project is different, and we believe sustainability works best when it’s thoughtful, intentional, and tailored to each book.
Earth day is a great time to reflect, but at Friesens, environmental responsibility isn’t tied to a single date on the calendar. It’s part of our day-to-day, guiding our long-standing values, supported by clear policies and carried forward by people who genuinely care about doing things the right way.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to learning, improving, and finding better ways to print books the planet can feel good about.
Happy Earth Day from all of us at Friesens.
