Even though your business relies on electronic communications for documents, such as invoices, you still have to use paper. Printing accounts for a considerable portion of any office business. Printing can also be bad for the environment. If you are looking for ways to buy and use a copier (such as one from Lafayette Business Machines Inc) for your office while maintaining an environmentally friendly stance, here is what you need to know.
Is It Possible to Buy an Eco-Friendly Copier?
In the past, finding copiers that were eco-friendly was difficult. However, a push by environmentally conscious organizations and people has resulted in better green options.
For instance, many copier manufacturers offer Energy Star rated electronics that can cut down on the amount of energy needed. When shopping for a new copier, look for an Energy Star label. The label will provide such invaluable information as how much energy the copier uses and the projected savings you can have.
Another option you have is to look for copiers that have separate ink cartridges for each color. By doing this, you only have to replace the cartridge for the color that is out and not the entire cartridge. As a result, there are fewer cartridges being tossed in the trash.
If possible, buy an all-in-one copier. Instead of buying a separate fax, copier, printer, and scanner, you can get all of that in one electronic. Not only does the all-in-one save on energy used, but you also free up space in your office. The extra space is a good place to store in-office bins for recycling.
What Can You Do to Conserve Energy After Buying the Copier?
Conserving energy does not stop with just buying the right copier. There are practices your business can implement to cut down on usage of the copier. Not only can you conserve energy, but also save on paper usage.
For instance, you can change your copier's settings to save on ink and toner. A simple modification, such as printing in draft mode for inter-office documents and using black ink only, can cut down on usage.
You can also encourage double-sided printing for inter-office communications. Keep a bin of old memos and other documentation available that can be used for printing new memos and such.
In addition to these measures, you can ensure that the copier is turned off at night and other extended periods that it is not in use. When printing, opt for energy-saving mode so that the lowest amount of energy needed is used.
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