Green Collar Careers: Danis V. Chamberlin, Print Manager at RiverWorks Printing

Visually stunning images of flowers and wildlife decorate the walls of the RiverWorks Printing production studio in Greenland. Printed on eco-friendly Photo Tex material, these are no ordinary posters. They’re biodegradable, more durable than poster paper, and function like a giant size sticker that can be stuck and re-stuck onto most surfaces without losing adhesiveness or leaving behind residue.

That’s just one example of how RiverWorks Printing Print Manager Danis Chamberlin is working to redefine the large format print industry by offering cutting edge products that are both visually appealing and green at affordable prices. In an industry known for excess waste, RiverWorks Printing provides customers with a full suite of eco-friendly options, from biodegradable banners and recyclable posters to banner stands made from bamboo.

Bottles, cardboard, food containers, ink and ink cartridges, PVC, and paper – everything that can be recycled gets recycled at RiverWorks Printing. By shifting more and more of their operations to more eco-friendly methods and practices, the folks at RiverWorks hope to do their part in bringing these green options to the masses – even if the profits aren’t always as high.

“In this economic environment, it can be hard to stay competitive,” says Danis Chamberlin, 41, a Rye Native who joined RiverWorks as Print Manager after 12 years in the print and sign-making industries. “But we’re willing to take a slightly smaller profit on the eco-friendly products and services, if that helps makes them more affordable. We’re also helping to guarantee new and long-term customers.”

Theresa Conn (TC): What do you like most about your job?

Danis Chamberlin (DC): It’s hard to choose! I do love the healthy, sound foundation that our business is built on. I love knowing that we have done so much to keep our shop running efficiently. It gives me the freedom to confidently forge ahead with creating new things and developing great solutions for our customers. I also love exploring and testing new materials and displays as well as creating new ways of using them. With sustainability coming to the forefront in this industry, there’s a lot of new products and technologies being created.
 
TC: Where did you go to college? Does your college education help with your current job? What skills from college most prepared you for the work you do now?

DC: I graduated from Castleton State in Vermont. Along with most people I know, I didn't go to school for anything I am currently doing. Although I didn’t get a degree in my current field, I still use many of skills I learned in college today. At Castleton State, I learned how to stay cool under pressure, keep organized, and work under a deadline; all of these aspects come into play at RiverWorks.

Because the printing field is constantly changing, I’m always on a quest for new knowledge to help me stay informed. There are new cutting edge products and technologies being developed all the time. So, I'm still learning new things every day.

TC: What do you look for in an employee in this field?

DC: For starters, we would look for someone who plays well with others. RiverWorks is definitely a team-based environment. We collaborate on projects, new ideas, technologies and products; we all share the workload as well. Some other things we look for are organizational skills and attention to detail. One trait I value in an applicant is resourcefulness. Sometimes, things don't go as planned and it is necessary for us to find another way, another solution. I find resourcefulness to be an invaluable skill.
 
TC: What made you integrate sustainability into your business / go into a green industry?

DC: I've been in the printing industry for quite a few years now and have seen firsthand the destructive nature that has been inherent in many processes used for printing. Years ago, at previous workplaces, I tried to implement some sustainability measures to help with the ridiculous waste created and was met with some resistance. Maybe people weren't ready for the change, I don't know. Now, I believe people are more educated and are willing to shift to healthier alternatives.

I have been through two pregnancies working as a print manager, and I had to be very careful to take the appropriate measures to be safe. I remember educating myself on all the byproducts and chemicals that I was using. The things I learned were downright alarming. That was my pivot point. I knew there had to be a better and safer way to go about printing.

My friends Jeff and Jane Cutter were looking to start a printing business and asked if I would come aboard to manage the shop. They were very enthusiastic about my desire to create an eco-friendly, healthy printing company. We designed the shop from the ground up to support a healthier system. Our model has worked well and I look forward to its evolution going forward.

TC: What are you most proud of in your business as relates to sustainability? 

DC: Any printer can go out and purchase an eco-friendly material and print on it. That in itself is wonderful. But there is much more to the equation than just that. At our shop, sustainability is integrated into everything we do. Our entire shop has been built around that way of being, from how we print and produce products to how we organize and distribute waste materials. Our whole chain of creation is pretty tight. What I really love is that we are always looking for ways to tweak and improve our process. I think that our attention to details will ensure our continued success.

RiverWorks Printing is a green-certified business in the Green Alliance. For more info on RiverWorks Printing, visit www.riverworksprinting.com. To learn more about the Green Alliance, go to www.greenalliance.biz.