APTA has awarded Gold-level recognition to Visual Marketing Systems, Inc. (VMS), for its achievements related to the association’s Sustainability Commitment, a voluntary agreement to implement practices that prioritize protecting the environment, maintaining economic viability, and being socially responsible.

VMS is the only APTA business member to receive this level of recognition to date.

“Congratulations to Visual Marking Systems for achieving this high honor and for setting the standard for other businesses,” said APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy. “APTA is honored to recognize VMS for its successful efforts to balance initiatives of environmental and economic sustainability. Both values strengthen public transportation.”

Dolf Kahle, VMS chief executive officer, said, “The public transportation industry is a huge print buying community, and VMS’ participation in the APTA Sustainability program and its achievement of Gold level recognition is evidence that VMS is committed as a supplier to APTA’s 2010-2014 Strategic Goals to reduce the transit industry’s environmental impact.”

APTA recognized VMS in part because of the sustainable business practices it models as a business member. From 2010 to 2011, VMS achieved a 15 percent reduction in electricity use per line item produced, a 15 percent reduction in water use per line item, a 4 percent reduction in solid waste per line item, and a 9 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per line item, due largely to its focus on green production and procurement policies as a certified sustainable green printer. VMS also launched a recycling policy that saved the company nearly $75,000 in 2011 thanks to a new focus on reducing use of raw materials.

VMS signed on to APTA’s sustainability commitment in 2011. The company provides custom graphic design services and products for Original Equipment Manufacturers, supply-chain companies, and public transportation systems.

About APTA’s Sustainability Commitment Program
The APTA Sustainability Commitment is a voluntary agreement to place priority on preserving the environment, being socially responsible, and maintaining economic viability with an overall ­contribution to quality of life.

APTA members that participate in the voluntary program agree to implement core internal processes and actions that set the basis for continuous improvement on key environmental, social, and economic sustainability indicators.

All APTA members, whether from the public or private sectors, are eligible to sign the Sustainability Commitment. Signatories can obtain higher recognition levels of the commitment by achieving additional actions, putting long-term processes into place and attaining reduction targets for a series of set indicators.

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