Sustainability is no longer just a buzz word. Industries across the globe are reevaluating their practices to minimize environmental impact. The print industry, historically associated with paper waste and energy consumption, is undergoing a transformation. While cartridge recycling programs have been a staple in sustainability efforts, print providers are increasingly exploring more comprehensive approaches to reduce their ecological footprint. We’ll take a closer look at several printing industry sustainability initiatives and share how we might be able to help.
Let’s start with the one you might already be familiar with – toner and print cartridge recycling.
Toner and print cartridge recycling program
The environmental impact of printing is undeniable. Worldwide, over a billion inkjet cartridges are used every year, with less than a third getting recycled. In the US alone, we bury 150 million pounds of print cartridges in our landfills every year. Cartridges contain plastic components which can take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose.
How EO Johnson can help with cartridge recycling:
We're committed to helping reduce environmental impact through responsible toner recycling. Most toner containers are made of recyclable plastic that can be processed through local programs, minimizing transportation and energy use. To determine if your toner containers can be recycled locally, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Check the container for the plastic code number inside the recycling symbol
- Step 2: Contact your local recycling program to verify that they accept this type of plastic
- Step 3: Recycle locally when possible for the most efficient environmental outcome
When local recycling isn't an option, our manufacturing partners offer dedicated recycling programs. Ricoh, HP, Canon, and Toshiba each provide straightforward solutions for returning and properly processing their products.
Sustainability beyond cartridge recycling programs
While cartridge recycling programs have been a significant step towards reducing waste and conserving resources, they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sustainable practices in the printing industry. Let's delve deeper into how print providers are pushing the boundaries of sustainability.
Energy-efficient equipment
Modern printers and multifunction devices are designed with energy-saving features such as sleep modes, automatic shutdown, and LED technology. These advancements not only reduce energy consumption during operation but also contribute to lower electricity bills and reduced carbon emissions.
Manufacturers are also increasingly incorporating recycled materials into the production of printing equipment, further reducing their environmental impact. From biodegradable plastics to sustainable packaging, the shift towards eco-friendly manufacturing practices is driving positive change across the print industry.
How EO Johnson can help with energy-efficient equipment:
EO Johnson proudly partners with Ricoh and Canon to provide printer solutions that are ENERGY STAR compliant, meaning they meet the energy efficiency requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Managed print services
Technological advances in printing solutions can help your company be greener. Establishing a managed print service will find efficiencies in your printer fleet which can include consolidating devices or replacing older devices with more advanced energy efficient machines. In addition, there are tools that can be added to your printer fleet to manage paper usage.
How EO Johnson can help with managed print services:
In addition to providing a comprehensive assessment of your printer fleet, EO Johnson’s PaperCut™ technology can reduce the amount of printing done in your workplace. With smart printer set-up strategies, PaperCut™ has saved over 2.4 billion pages of paper from ever being printed – that’s over 240,000 trees! Here are a few of the environmental benefits of utilizing PaperCut™ with your EO Johnson managed print service.
- Secure print release means pages aren’t printed unnecessarily and left sitting on a printer. Instead, they are only released to print when the employee scans a fob to do so.
- Print quotas can be applied to keep users accountable for the printing they do.
- Print filters are established to convert print jobs to greyscale and double-sided printing automatically.
- An executive report allows you to see your organization’s specific environmental savings.
Digital transformation solutions
Areas of your company like human resources, accounts payable, and accounts receivable typically have a lot of paperwork. While paper printing is a necessary part of doing business, there are some strategic ways to leverage technology to efficiently manage how information moves through your organization. These include bulk document scanning, document management software, and digital mailrooms.
How EO Johnson can help with your digital transformation:
EO Johnson’s digital transformation solutions allow you to manage, store, and share documents electronically to improve efficiency and have less paper waste. Here are just a few of the environmental and operational benefits of electronic document storage.
- Use less paper, print less, and create less paper waste
- Free up space by reducing paper file cabinet storage
- Eliminate lost or misplaced paper files
- Create process improvements and efficiencies
- Collaborate better across roles and departments
- Establish secure electronic file access
EO Johnson supports your company’s sustainability initiatives
By choosing a managed print provider who prioritizes sustainability through a comprehensive range of measures, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future. If sustainability is part of your company’s social responsibility directive, EO Johnson can help layer in printing and technology solutions to support your goals.
