By Peter A. Sutters Jr.
Minuteman Press of Bellerose has been awarded the Carlson Craft Distinguished Dealer Award for outstanding sales achievements. Minuteman Press serves as a printing and shipping center that owner Scott Levine said prints on “anything but money.”The award is given out by Carlson Craft, a company Levine contracts out much of the business he cannot handle on site, such as raised printing and business cards. Levine said he was thankful for the award honoring his sales achievements, noting that positive praise is not heard often.”As with anything in life, it's nice to be recognized,” said Levine. “Most often in life, if you do a bad job, everyone is quick to tell you about it.” Levine, who lives on Long Island, has owned the business since 1985 and moved the store from the Glen Oaks Shopping Center to its present location down the road a bit on Union Turnpike. Levine is certainly not resting on his laurels after winning the award since he has just started a program that collects printer cartridges and cell phones so they can be recycled. Levine said he gets a small compensation from a Texas company for sending in the materials to be recycled, but he's in it more for the environmental aspects.'It's not going to make me rich,” said Levine, an avid boater who often sees firsthand the damage done to the environment by materials tossed into the water.Levine also collects packing “peanuts” from customers and reuses them for his own shipping needs. Peanuts are the small Styrofoam bits used to cushion materials during shipping. “As long as it's clean, we'll take it,” said Levine.Levine said the green bug has caught on with his employees, one of whom suggested saving the wrapping a ream of paper is packed in to use as packing materials.”It's a double-win situation,” said Levine. “You help the environment and save a little money.”Reach reporter Peter A. Sutters Jr. by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext. 173.
