Rizco Design     MANASQUAN NJ

Born in 2000, Rizco Design's clients span public relations and advertising agencies, Fortune 500 companies and small start-ups that cross platform between consumer, health care, non-profit and business-to-business sectors. The diversification of the firm's clientele has allowed it to specialize in most disciplines of branding, print and interactive development.

When and why did your firm become interested in environmentally-friendly graphic design? In 2006, there were three items that jump started our program — first meeting with our Mohawk spec rep and learning about sustainable paper and green energy choices, then hearing Derek Smith speak about sustainable design and printing and then reading An Inconvenient Truth. They each inspired us to review our environmental footprint which wasn't favorable. We wanted to roll out a program that was not just a statement: to be accountable it had to be measurable.

In May 2007, Rizco launched an environmental mission and measurable plan of action, called Beleaf. Beleaf is a sustainability program that ensures that a large percentage of each of their client's jobs are environmentally friendly. Beleaf's end-goal is to educate clients about the positive impact that "green" design, paper purchases and printing have on the environment and encourages the elimination of deforestation, which negatively reshapes our climate, geography and biodiversity. As part of the Beleaf, Rizco Design created an online report card which grades the sustainability of each project once it's completed. "Clients take their grades really seriously," said Partner, Debra Rizzi, "even though the grade is really reflective on how well WE managed their sustainable choices."

In the August 2008 edition of Good Magazine, Rizco Design revealed its new branding identity and call to action, One Change Now, to educate and inspire those who want to make a change. One Change Now houses programs, such as Beleaf and Project Give Back, that continue our efforts to educate designers, printers, marketing managers and everyday people about sustainability. Additionally, Rizco will be providing resources continuously to inspire individuals to preserve what is necessary for future generations.

Can you tell us in a little more detail about the internal and external changes? Internal changes include recycling, with Rizco personally dropping its glass, plastic, paper and cardboard at the municipal center to ensure that it actually gets recycled. The firm is digital, reducing print outs by sharing files electronically and setting up FTP sites, and even distributing pay checks electronically. We use eco-friendly supplies, such as Seventh Generation, Method and Bona Kemi cleaning and paper products; our copy paper is Cascades, Rolland Enviro100 Copy. The furniture is Herman Miller, which is made from recycled materials and the company is 100% green powered with 50% wind/50% hydro. Ink Toner Cartridges are recycled under the Hewlett Packard Cartridge Recycling Program, and when it comes to meals, we use washable glasses, silverware and plates as much as possible. If we can't, we have paper versions that are made from 100% recycled paper.

When we design we ensure the end product is recyclable; we look for ways that a piece can be updated easily, giving it longevity; we minimize printing processes and we approach the opportunity for smaller-sized end products as much as possible. Rizco also specifies paper stocks that are FSC-certified, recycled or both when printing; tries to retouch projects as accurately as possible to minimize press time; and minimizes printing processes and avoids lamination and UV coatings which effect the recyclability of the project.

Can being 'green' help you in your marketing and sales to gain new projects or clients? Eco-education is at the forefront of Rizco Design's initiatives. We have had the opportunity to aid in educating clients and other designers through speaking engagements at seminars, events and conferences within the paper printing and design industries and participate in podcasts and webinars which has raised awareness about our brand. As a result, doors have been opened to a diverse client base which has stimulated growth. The bottom line is clients are scrambling to put eco-conscious methods in place, define what it is to "be green" and avoid accusations of "greenwashing", it is very important for firms to practice what they preach. "Going green" can be a full time job in itself, so clients have a comfort level with hiring a design firm that already has sustainable practices imbedded in its core values.

As a practical matter, does the economic slowdown make it harder to be green? Rizco Design is in the fortunate standpoint of being a small firm with little overhead. The purchase of green power and investment in green products has increased our monthly expenses between $500-$100/month which is minimal in the scheme of things.