Top strategies for environmental sustainability in printing

As the paper and printing industries can have a significant impact on the environment, Fuji Xerox Australia offers the following strategies to deliver the best outcomes while minimising environmental and financial costs.

Print on demand
Digital printing has limited environmental impact and, through employing a print-on-demand strategy, paper wastage is low if not approaching zero.

1:1 personalisation
Communicating in a 1:1 manner, and using digital print and tools such as Fuji Xerox’s XMPie variable data software, you produce a higher value document and print for an audience of one, instead of printing a long print run relevant to a few. The volume of paper is decreased, and the value of your campaign increased.

Opt for digital printing where possible
As well as personalisation and print on demand benefits, Fuji Xerox digital printing offers environmental benefits thanks to its dry toners, so there are limited emissions to air from the process, no liquid emissions and no implications for the storage of raw materials.

Look for the latest toner
Xerox has developed non-toxic dry ink Emulsion Aggregation (EA) toner. It is manufactured using 25-35 per cent less energy/kilo of toner and in the creation of image transfer it requires 40 per cent less toner whilst producing better quality images.

Run your print operations with resource efficiency
Reduce your carbon footprint by powering down equipment when not in use. Choose energy efficient equipment and fittings: as part of its design for the environment commitment, Xerox products manufactured in 2003 used up to 50% less energy than similar products made in 1992 – enabling customers to avoid emitting an estimated 563,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases.

Invest in print equipment designed for the environment
Ask if your print equipment supplier is in compliance with the Regulation on Hazardous Substances. Check the equipment incorporates remanufactured parts and components, and ask if it is designed for end-of-life disassembly and parts reuse or recycling. Ask if your supplier will take back equipment, toner cartridges or bottles and replaced parts for responsible disposal.

Source Sustainable Paper
Ensure ‘virgin’ paper is sustainably sourced and look for Forest Stewardship Council and Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification logos. Recycled paper production also has impacts, so look for eco-label certifications from the country of production. Avoid carbon emissions from international logistics by purchasing Australian stock.

Ask for validation of your suppliers’ environmental and sustainability credentials
Be conscious of green wash. Fuji Xerox Australia maintains ISO14001 certification for all sites and produces an independently assured, annual Sustainability Report on our sustainability activities, with the most recent revealing new carbon targets to reduce not only our own emissions, but also those of our customers.