Color Printing Technology Leader Releases Tips for Reducing Waste and Energy Consumption to Minimize Carbon Footprint
In honor of Earth Day, Memjet today offered tips on how organizations can adopt sustainable and responsible habits. Memjet is the global leader in color printing technologies that provide remarkable speeds and affordability to OEMs, resellers and ultimately businesses.
According to the 2013 Cone Communications/Eco Global CSR Study, 93 percent of consumers expect businesses they buy from to support corporate social responsibility efforts. This includes a business's efforts for environmental sustainability and participation in environmentally friendly programs.
"Sustainability in the printing industry can be a challenge, especially with existing toner-based technologies still widely in use," says Len Lauer, CEO of Memjet. "With a few very easy changes and enhancements to existing product lines, programs and initiatives, and by incorporating digital technology, companies can substantially minimize their impact on the environment."
Below are Memjet's tips for organizations looking to make their existing print operation more environmentally friendly:
Prioritize the need for speed - Reduce electricity use by implementing technologies with faster print speeds. When applied to a high volume of print jobs over time, faster print speeds translate directly to reduced electricity usage. Digital print heads are one way to achieve these faster speeds, and ultimately lower energy costs
Print on-demand - Print low volume batches, also known as short-run jobs. This allows organizations to print the exact amount needed, reducing unused or outdated products or secondary packaging, and in turn reducing warehouse costs
Remember that inks are not created equal - Consider switching from solvent inks to aqueous inks for all printing activity. Aqueous ink is water-based with less toxic chemicals than solvent inks
Say goodbye to plates - Switch to digital inkjet printers to eliminate the need for printing plates. Digital connections allow users to send jobs directly to the printer, instead of the traditional method of creating metal plates, which then are used and disposed of. This significantly reduces the amount of wasted materials throughout the printing process
Stay "cool" to save energy - Choose a printer with a low energy profile. Digital printers require a lower than standard amount of heat to transfer ink onto the page, therefore reducing energy use
Invest in ink recycling - Check to see if the vendor used for printing has an ink recycling program to ensure proper disposal
