A Greener Choice.

The ubiquitous, iconic GuestCheck immediately connotes good service, good food and good times. Diners around the world know they are in for a treat when they see this staple of the restaurant industry. Little do they know that the green color of the check also represents our cutting-edge manufacturing company, which is diligently working to create a sustainable framework for the future.  As concerns for our world and the environment heighten, they allow us to showcase all that we do to minimize and reduce the impact we have on the world around us.  The facilities we operate, the introduction of our EarthSafe product line, the processes we use to manufacture our products, and the leadership role we have assumed within the industry all highlight our commitment to creating a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.

Facilities

In 1997, National Checking Company moved into a state-of-the-art building in St. Paul, Minnesota. For years, the site had been a tank-farm for supplying oil and petroleum to local filling stations, and once the owners moved on, the local governments declared the area a "brownfield" - meaning it contained all kinds of hazardous wastes that required several years to clean up. When we built our building on this reclaimed site, we employed some of the green-building techniques that are in vogue today. We make use of natural lighting, which not only creates a more user-friendly work environment, but also reduces heating costs in the winter. Where lighting is needed, we use long-lasting, energy-efficient industrial fluorescents. The heating and cooling systems were also selected because of their effectiveness and efficiency. While these decisions were not always the most immediately economical, by taking a long-term view, the business and environmental concerns aligned, allowing us to create a facility with a minimal carbon footprint.

EarthSafe™ Products

As in the past, we are always on the lookout for new products to offer our customers. This year, we introduced our EarthSafe line of GuestChecks and RegistRolls. EarthSafe items are made from a 100% recycled paper which contains 40% post-consumer waste. This paper is processed without chlorine and is acid-free, making it one of the most environmentally-friendly types of paper available today. All our products using this paper are clearly marked with EarthSafeBond labels so operators and managers can be assured they are supporting these sustainable practices.

Production

This same sensitivity has been employed in our manufacturing processes for nearly 50 years. In the late 60's NCC began its first recycling efforts, sending train-car loads of waste paper to pulp manufacturers who would mix the old paper with new pulp to create some of the first recycled paper products. These initial efforts have blossomed in recent years, allowing us to reduce our waste costs and increase the amount of materials that are reused. We have also become much more demanding of our suppliers. Nearly all of our paper is "certified", meaning that the fibers used as raw materials are taken from forests that are managed in a sustainable manner. In addition, over the past 10 years, we have eliminated the use of petroleum-based inks, in favor of more eco-friendly, soy-based products. This, combined with the removal of hazardous cleaning solvents, has not only created a more healthy work environment, but has also created a more earth-friendly product.

Industry

Our green initiatives have extended beyond our own facilities as National Checking Company has been involved in supporting and expanding the efforts of the industries in which we are considered to be a leader. NCC has been a Printing Industry of Minnesota Great Printer since the program's inception. This status requires us to go beyond any governmental regulations to create a healthy, safe and environmentally-friendly work place. In addition to this local initiative, we have been attuned to the development of a similar accreditation process on a national level, through the Printing Industry of America.  Further, we have begun working with the National Restaurant Association (NRA) to develop green standards for vendors in the food service industry. As a leader in this industry, we view it as our obligation to create and support the work of these organizations.

Throughout this report, you will see that we are busy working to create a business model that makes a sustainable future possible. While Kermit the Frog said "It's not easy being green", we are committed to not only making those little green checks, but doing it in an environmentally-friendly, green manner.