ECO Printing Suggestions
Reducing print has been at the forefront of technology since this ‘new’ expense of locally printed documents arrived with personal lasers and inkjets. Not only has paper consumption been on the rise, but against all odds, it shows no sign of slowing down. Here’s a way to combat the trend towards more printing, more expense, and more environmental concern.
Reduce Paper Use
One of the easiest ways to save on paper is to enable default duplex (double-sided) printing. In designing documents, it is often a wise consideration to use print layouts that minimize white space and require fewer pages. Even increasing the default margins to take up more of the page can affect the number of pages printed. Perhaps the biggest change to make is by using digital documents and online sharing using platforms like Google Docs or Microsoft 365. In the last 10 years, amazing changes have occurred in the consumption of paper.
Use Sustainable Materials
Opt for recycled or sustainably sourced paper. A large portion of of the cost of paper is simply the shipping expense. If you use an outside print company you may ask if they use vegetable-based or soy-based inks instead of petroleum-based inks. Here are some tips to Maximize Paper Recycling.
Optimize Printing Processes
Only print documents when necessary to avoid surplus and waste. There are a number of programs which help in allocating resources and monitoring print output like Equitrac and PaperCut. Print quality is an often overlooked variable which can affect cost and resources.
The highest quality mode for internal documents may not be necessary. Print on Demand allows the print job to be stored at the printer for ‘walk up printing’ of common forms to save on unnecessary print jobs.
Use Energy-Efficient Equipment
Choose printers with Energy Star ratings or other eco-certifications and employ efficient ink usage will also result in savings.
Recycling
Ink Cartridges: Participate in cartridge and packaging recycling programs.
Paper Waste: Establish dedicated recycling bins for paper waste next to printers for convenient disposal.
Obsolete Equipment: Properly dispose of or recycle old or obsolete printing equipment.
Green Procurement and End of Lease
When purchasing new equipment, prioritize products with energy-efficient certifications, such as Energy Star, and products made from recyclable materials. It can be wise to evaluate product life cycles, end of lease requirements and consider these factors during procurement. In most cases, the customer is responsible for the leased item to be returned at their own expense.
Internal Recycling Programs
Develop internal programs to facilitate the recycling of obsolete equipment within the organization. This can be as simple as an area of the warehouse or some space in the hallway closet to place obsolete electronics for a monthly pickup by a recycler, who often will pickup for no charge.
Regular Inventory Management
Periodically assess inventory to identify obsolete equipment and manage disposal systematically. The average life of a large copier may depend on many things including usage and condition. It is wise to optimize asset utilization before considering disposal or replacement.
Aim for Zero Waste
Adopt a zero waste philosophy, focusing on waste prevention, reduction, and recycling. Explore circular economy models to extend the life cycle of products and components. Printers that are too slow for the office may work fine in shipping. Printers that don’t work at all should be removed.
Implement a Print Policy
Establish guidelines for printing, including setting color printing restrictions and encouraging employees to think before they print. Monitor printing to identify areas for reduction and efficiency improvement. Follow the link to Authoring a Printer Policy for more information.
