Businesses now have a legal obligation to try reducing their carbon footprint and many are using new technology to help achieve these targets. Whether it’s automatic shutdowns for computer equipment, recycling waste, getting in more efficient heating, or switching from driving to a meeting to video conferencing, the fight is on to be ever more sustainable.

Nowhere is this more important than with the office photocopier. Many medium to large businesses use multi function printers that not only take up a lot of space but also have the potential to account for a substantial part of a company’s carbon footprint.

Develop a Printing Strategy

Getting everyone involved in and agreeing to a company printing strategy can help you keep a handle on all your copying. But an effective strategy goes beyond that. Is your printing provision up-to-date and using the latest low carbon technologies? MFP manufacturers like Sharp, Xerox, HP and Ricoh are at the forefront in developing machines that help businesses save power and work in more sustainable ways.

Print Fewer Copies

It may sound like common sense but the less you print the less energy and resources you use. Do you need to produce that document on masse for all your employees or clients, or can you offer other, digitally based formats such as pdfs and e-books?

Reduce Paper

Most modern MFPs can do duplex copying nowadays, reducing the amount of paper that you need to use. Decide also if you need to print the whole of document or just a small part of it. And, of course, use recycled paper which has a lower environmental impact.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using Your Printer’s Sleep Settings

Your multi function printer doesn’t have to be on when it is not being used. Can you reduce your carbon footprint by saving up batches of copying and running them in one go? Yes you can. Okay, this is often more difficult with larger offices where there are higher staff levels using the same copier but is worth looking at innovative ways in which to save on your energy output.

The latest MFPs are hi-tech and have a variety of sleep modes, and some can even monitor your usage and adjust energy output and lower electricity costs accordingly.

Reduce Toner Usage

Printing a draft output rather than a full blooded copy can save on toner and is usually easy enough to read. It may not be the type of print quality you want for clients or special runs but for in-house it should suffice.

Trying to be carbon friendly and sustainable can often seem like a drop in the ocean. The way it really works is this: every little helps. If you add up all the people who are cutting down on their waste and switching off appliances then suddenly you get a global effect that actually does make a difference.

Small changes in the way that we run our lives, both personally and in business, can have a cumulative impact on the environment. In other words, if we all do it, something good will happen.