'Green' printing

Solid Ink technology: save money and the environmentWhilst a great deal of data is now stored electronically, extensive copying and printing facilities are still paramount to every business. This can take a severe toll on the environment in terms of paper, ink and energy consumption. However, there are several steps that you can take to reduce the environmental impact of your company's printing processes.

Reduce the amount of printers you use
Xerox Corporation's research shows that most companies have far too many printers. They also reveal that printers are generally used only 1-2 percent of the time, so cutting out superfluous printing equipment would not result in efficiency loss.

Turn your printers off
A very simple fix: when you aren't using your printing equipment (especially overnight) turn it off. You won't only be saving the environment, but also on your company's electricity bills. Encourage all employees to use the power button.

Use environmentally-conscious ink systems
Xerox' Solid Ink technology has many benefits. A typical cartridge based printer churns out 450lb of waste over its 4 year life cycle, compared to just 23lbs for a solid ink equivalent. Solid Ink involves the use of blocks of ink that are loaded into the printer and then melted down before use. They are completely non-toxic, safe to handle and produce exceptionally vibrant colours comparable or even superior to inkjets.

Switch to a multifunction device
Why have two devices when you can have one? Save on electricity and space by utilizing a multifunction device that integrates copying, faxing, printing and scanning facilities into one standalone machine. Furthermore, multifunction devices have fewer replaceable components so you save on maintenance costs.

Recycle your ink cartridges
Almost 400 million empty catridges are thrown away every year. And that's just in the United States. The plastics used in their construction take hundreds of years to degrade, and the ink may leak and cause environmental hazards. Recycling your cartridges is not only green; many recycling companies offer reimbursement.

Recycle your paper
One of the easiest and most effective techniques to help save the environment. Keep a recycling bin next to your main rubbish bin to encourage employees to recycle.

Reduce your document output
The amount of documents printed can be reduced in many ways. Instead of 8 copies of meeting notes, project them onto the screen. Or send emails instead of memos. For a change that will also increase the efficiency of your company's data retrieval, invest in Electronic Document Management.

Find out more about 'green' printing today by logging onto First Choice Business Systems, specialists in Xerox printer. Alternatively call 08000723747 for a free consultation.