Toner Cartridges

Tips to reduce carbon footprint of printing

As Carbon Tax and rising energy costs put extra pressure on businesses, we’re all looking at ways to work more efficiently.

Office printing, including paper, power and consumables, is a high office expense. Printer manufacturer, Lexmark, has indicated that printers global warming impact is generated 80% by Paper, 8% through Energy Consumption and 6% through cartridges. By using a multifunction printer and combining duplex and multi-up you can reduce your CO2 emissions by up to 45%.

Here are some extra tips, from Lexmark and www.retailblue.com.au, to reduce your carbon footprint.

A) Think before you print

  • Only print documents you need and avoid printing emails and drafts.
  • Use print preview to avoid mistakes before printing
  • Use duplex printing (double sided printing) to halve your paper use
  • Archive your documents using scan instead of printing.
  • Print drafts, greyscale or low dpi versions

B) Reduce Consumption

  • “Super size me” – Use high yield cartridges to reduce plastic usage and shipping
  • Use the draft mode to save ink and toner and reduce cartridge waste
  • Print in black and white rather than in colour when colour is not needed
  • Use workgroup printers to streamline equipment and save power
  • In your home use wireless printing or network to a single to reduce the number of printers
  • Turn your printer off in your workplace or home overnight or when not in use to reduce power consumption
  • Use the right printer for the job. Local printer centres in your city may be a better way to print high volume jobs.
  • Upgrade your printer technology – old printers may be less efficient in power and cartridge use.

C) Recycle

  • Reuse paper for draft work whenever possible
  • Provide separate recycling bins for paper and cartridges
  • Use free manufacturer collection programs to reuse or recycle your cartridges
  • Recycle end of life printers

Happy (sensible) printing!