Wizix Tech Blog
As an office technology supply company in Central California, we are highly invested in eco-initiatives and ensuring that the use of technology is kind to the environment. When it comes to the office, it’s impossible to go entirely paperless—however, we’ve implemented tried and tested solutions that reduce the negative impact of printing on the environment. So, what are the major factors at play when it comes to the environmental impact of printing and what are a few solutions?
Paper Waste
According to one source, Americans use 85,000,000 tons of paper every year. That’s seven trees a year per American. Much of that paper is used in schools or office environments. That is a lot of trees that have to be cut down to supply that amount of paper. And what happens to the majority of that paper? Landfills!
In the modern, digital age, you would think that paper use has gone down, but studies have found that over the last 20 years, paper consumption has actually gone up 126%. The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper annually.
Ink Cartridges
It’s estimated that over 1 billion ink cartridges are sold each year worldwide. The greenhouse gas emissions it takes to manufacture a supply of ink cartridges this size is astounding. The chemicals in printer ink can be extremely harmful to the environment in addition to the petroleum oil and non-biodegradable plastic casing found in some ink and toner cartridges.
When you simply throw your ink cartridges in the trash, they end up in a landfill or worse, the ocean. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals in printer ink can lead to soil and even water pollution when left in landfills. And as many of us know, plastic can take thousands of years to degrade and even then, they will continue to pollute the soil.
Eco-Friendly Printing Solutions
Reduce paper where you can. Some ways to do this include scanning and emailing instead of printing, using both sides of a sheet of paper, and only printing documents when absolutely necessary.
Use a document management system (DMS). A DMS enables any size business to centralize document storage on premise or on the cloud, reducing the need for paper copies. You can easily access, manage, and share documents electronically.
Recycle your ink cartridges. When you reorder toner and supplies through WiZiX Technology Group, recycling ink cartridges is as easy as saving them and leaving them with us! We’ll make sure they are disposed of responsibly.
Office Technology Supplier in The Central Valley
At WiZiX Technology Group in Central California (with offices in Sacramento, Fresno and San Francisco) we believe in investing in the environment. That’s why we offer effective solutions to help your company reduce the impact of printing on the environment—from software and products that save paper to the recycling of used toner, we’re your one-stop-shop. If your office is looking to go green, speak with one of our representatives today!
Photo by Jay Mantri on Unsplash (9/10/2020)
