How Smart Printing Practices Reduce Environmental Impact

Method No. 5: Recycle all printed pages

Remember to recycle all printed pages instead of simply throwing them away. Also, if there is only printed text on one side of the paper, save those pages in a designated spot and use the blank side for notes. Use a designated blue box for this, placing the side with text facedown to make reuse easier.

Method No. 6: Make it last with longer warranties

Look for electronics with a longer warranty. If businesses can extend the life cycles of their devices, they will create significantly less waste and save money at the same time.

Method No. 7: Give (and get) something back with rewards programmes

Before investing in printer purchases for the organisation, see if the manufacturer has a rewards or loyalty programme for supplies. These programmes significantly reduce costs and reward the organisation for purchasing and recycling original cartridges.

Method No. 8: Maximise your investment with wireless

Instead of purchasing multiple printers, hook one printer up to a wireless network and share a single printer for the whole office. Keep in mind, when the printer’s life cycle is complete, the product can be returned to a dedicated collection point for recycling to further reduce environmental impact.

Method No. 9: Buy an all-in-one device

These days, there is no need to buy multiple office devices when businesses can purchase an all-in-one product that can multitask. Organisations large and small will quickly realise savings in the form of fewer trips to the office supply store and, of course, fewer devices to purchase. Additionally, consolidating devices equals less energy consumption.

John D. Gagel is the Manager of Sustainability for Lexmark International, Inc. John is responsible for Lexmark’s global operational compliance and product environmental programmes. John has more than 15 years of experience in the environmental, health and safety field. Prior to this position, John served as a consultant to many Fortune 500 companies on environmental, health, and safety-related issues. John is certified in the comprehensive practice of industrial hygiene by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). John holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology from the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Fredonia. He can be reached at jgagel@lexmark.com.