Small Changes, Big Impact – How Businesses Can Make Their Printing Operations More Sustainable
Sustainability is no longer a buzzword – it’s a responsibility. Businesses across all industries are being encouraged to reduce their environmental impact, and printing operations are an important part of this.
Whilst printing will always be a necessity for many organisations, the way it is approached can make a big difference in reducing waste, lowering carbon footprints and making operations more sustainable.
The good news is that you don’t need to overhaul your entire system to start making an impact. Small changes to your printing habits, technology choice and supplier partnerships can lead to significant environmental benefits.
Let’s have a look at some of the ways that can help.
Rethink What You Print
One of the easiest ways to reduce your environmental impact is quite simple -print less.
Many businesses still print documents out of habit rather than necessity – encouraging a ‘think before you print’ culture in your workplace is a simple way to cut down on unnecessary waste. You can also set the default printer settings to duplex (double-sided) which can instantly cut paper usage in half.
When you take advantage of the installation of a managed print service within your organisation, you have access to analytics tools that allow you to track your print usage and identify any areas where print consumption is particularly high and can be reduced.
Choose Eco-friendly Paper and Supplies
If you must print, then make sure you are using the most sustainable materials possible. Make sure you are using FSC-certified paper – many recycled paper options are both high quality and cost-effective, making them a viable alternative to traditional paper.
Toner cartridges are another area where businesses can improve sustainability make sure you are participating in cartridge recycling programs – many manufacturers now offer these schemes to ensure used cartridges are properly disposed of or repurposed.
Partner with Sustainable Print Service Providers
One of the most effective ways to improve your sustainability is by working with the right provider – at Parallel, we partner with leading sustainability brands such as Kyocera, Konica Minolta and Sharp – offering energy-efficient devices that are designed to minimise both waste and energy consumption.
As well as supplying eco-friendly printers, Managed Print Services also allow you to:-
- Optimise your fleet to ensure you are using the most efficient devices for your needs
- Reduce your energy by powering down machines when they are not in use
- Support sustainability programs such as Print Releaf which offsets paper consumption through global reforestation.
Offset Your Paper Consumption with Print Releaf
Whilst we know that in some organisations print is unavoidable it doesn’t mean you can’t give back to the environment.
At Parallel, we are proud to partner with Print Releaf, a global reforestation program that automatically offsets your paper consumption by planting trees in forests that need it the most.
For every 8,333 pages printed, one tree is planted, and to date, our customers have helped plant over 5,000 trees worldwide – ensuring that print operations are contributing positively to the environment.
By choosing a print provider that offers initiatives like this, your business can continue to operate efficiently whilst actively supporting global reforestation efforts.
Upgrade to Energy-efficient Devices
Older printers and copiers are often energy-hungry, and if your business is still relying on outdated equipment then you could be consuming far more energy than needed:-
New printers come with features such as:-
- Low-energy standby modes that reduce power consumption when not in use
- Energy star certification to offer optimal energy efficiency
- Longer-lasting parts to reduce the need for frequent replacements
Investing in the right hardware not only reduces your carbon footprint but also saves on energy costs in the long run.
Digitise Where Possible
If you want to know the best way to reduce print waste – go digital!
Whilst some printing will always be necessary, we are increasingly seeing areas where physical documents can be replaced with digital workflows; you could consider:-
- Cloud storage and digital document management – to reduce the need for paper filing systems
- Electronic signatures – to reduce the need for printed contracts and agreements
- Paperless billing and invoicing – reducing unnecessary printouts in finance departments
Even small digital shifts can drastically reduce paper consumption and waste.
Sustainable Printing is a Smart Business
Sustainability in printing isn’t just about reducing waste – it’s about adopting smarter, more cost-effective practices that can benefit both businesses and the environment.
By assessing your print habits – choosing eco-friendly materials, working with sustainable partners and taking advantage of programs like Print Releaf, you can drastically reduce their impact without sacrificing productivity.
At Parallel, we are committed to helping businesses make printing more sustainable whilst improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Parallel offers nationwide Managed Print Services. We are providers in Uxbridge (HO), Camberley, Kent, Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Manchester, and Edinburgh, committed to propelling your business forward through tailor-made print solutions.