7 Steps To Sustainable Printing

Sustainable Printing: Eco-Friendly Choices for Ink and LaserJet Printers.

In today's environmentally conscious world, sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's a way of life. For those who rely on ink or laserjet printers, there are several eco-friendly practices you can adopt to minimize your environmental footprint. From choosing the right printer to adopting greener printing habits, here's how you can make your printing process more sustainable.

Opt for Energy-Efficient Printers

The first step in sustainable printing is selecting an energy-efficient printer. Laserjet printers, for instance, tend to be more energy-efficient than inkjet printers, especially when printing in large volumes. When shopping for a new printer, look for models with energy-saving features like automatic sleep mode and duplex printing (which allows for double-sided printing).

Choose Recycled Paper

Using recycled paper is one of the simplest ways to reduce your environmental impact. Look for paper that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or carries the Green Seal, indicating it meets rigorous environmental standards. Additionally, using copy paper with a higher percentage of recycled content can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

FSC Label guide:

• FSC 100%: This label indicates the product you’re buying is made of wood fibre that has been 100% sourced from FSC Certified plantations. 
• FSC Recycled: This label ensures that the product you’re buying contains only recycled material, with a minimum 85% being post-consumer waste.
• FSC Mix: This label ensures that the product you’re buying contains at least 70 per cent FSC Certified or Post-consumer recycled material, and the remainder of the product may include pre-consumer recycled material, or Controlled Wood.

Printed documents that are no longer required can be used for scrap paper.

Refill and Recycle Ink and Toner Cartridges

One of the biggest contributors to printer-related waste is the disposal of ink and toner cartridges. Instead of throwing them away, consider refilling your cartridges or purchasing remanufactured ones.

Alternatively, you can send your used cartridges to recycling programs. Many office supply outlets have recycling bins specifically for ink and toner cartridges.

Print Only When Necessary

Before hitting the print button, ask yourself if it's really necessary to have a physical copy. Many documents can be shared and stored digitally, reducing the need for printing.

When printing is unavoidable, consider using a smaller font size or reducing margins to fit more text on each page, thereby conserving paper.

Avoid printing images. Using a pdf editor to easily remove images and shaded areas can significantly reduce the amount of ink you use.

Use Eco-Friendly Printing Settings

Most printers come with settings that allow you to reduce your environmental impact. For example, you can switch to "draft mode" to use less ink or toner and enable duplex printing to save paper. Additionally, consider printing in black and white whenever possible, as colour printing typically consumes more ink.

Proper Disposal of Old Printers

When it's time to upgrade your printer, don't just toss the old one in the trash. Many electronic waste (e-waste) recycling programs can safely dispose of or refurbish old printers. Check with your local council for e-waste recycling options. Some office supply stores will take your old printers and computers.

Conclusion

Sustainable printing is about making smarter choices that benefit both the environment and your wallet. By choosing energy-efficient printers, using recycled paper, refilling cartridges, and printing mindfully, you can significantly reduce your environmental impact. As technology evolves, so too do the opportunities for more sustainable practices—embracing these options ensures that your printing habits are as green as possible.

Start making these eco-friendly changes today, and you'll contribute to a healthier planet while maintaining the efficiency and quality you need for your printing tasks.