Bringing in EPM experts to manage your print environment helps save money and increase productivity, but the benefits also translate globally. Printing optimization serves an initiative that helps you and the world by reducing your business’s environmental impact.
Taking a closer look at office printing statistics paints an alarming picture:
- 45% of paper printed in the office ends up in the trash at the end of the day, amounting to trillions of sheets per year.
- A business’s typical annual paper growth is 22%.
- Worldwide paper consumption has risen 400% in the last 40 years.
The effects could be devastating. The pulp and paper industry is the U.S.’s 3rd-largest industrial polluter, releasing over 100 million kg of toxic pollution each year, and with the current deforestation rate, rainforests may no longer exist in 100 years.
Paper is the most visible culprit for printing’s ecological damage, but other hidden environmental costs include:
- Bleaching paper, which traditionally uses harmful chemicals and significant amounts of water and energy
- The enormous carbon footprint of device production and the energy required to power equipment
- Toner and ink cartridges, which can take up to a 1,000 years to decompose, contain volatile chemicals, and whose manufacture requires a gallon of oil
Volume reduction is one of EPM’s top priorities – we strive for employees to only print what they need, as efficiently as possible. However, we also provide numerous other eco-friendly initiatives, such as:
- Educating end-users about printing’s environmental impact and best practices
- Analyzing data to understand localized paper usage
- Using recycled toner cartridges efficiently
- Deploying Energy Star certified devices
- Implementing responsible recycling process
Reaching a truly paperless office is an ongoing challenge. In that meantime, it is wise for businesses to take every possible measure to reduce paper consumption and leverage current devices. With our collective effort, we can achieve a greener workplace.