Did you know that the average office worker generates about 2 pounds of paper waste every day? A lot of this paper waste comes from printing. However, you can implement quick wins to save energy and help the environment.
Here are 7 easy green printing tips that everyone should use to go green today! Also, check out the special discount for our readers below!
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7 Green Printing Tips – Easy Ways to Go Green Today
1. Use Recycled Printing Paper
Putting recycled paper in your printers is an easy green printing tip. You and your colleagues won't even notice the difference!
For instance, the recycled printing paper below looks and feels like regular printer paper. However, it is made of recycled food and beverage containers!
2. Print Double-Sided
Make sure your computer and printer are automatically set to print double-sided. According to the EPA, printing double-sided can reduce your paper waste by 10 - 40%.
Learn how to set up double-sided printing in less than 3 minutes here.
3. Incorporate "Follow-Me" Printing
Follow-me printing, also known as “pull-printing”, sends each print job to a server and the documents print when the user scans a badge or inputs an access code at the printer. The user must request the documents at the printer instead of them printing automatically.
A lot of documents are left in the printer tray and never retrieved. Follow-me printing helps reduce waste, save money, and protect sensitive documents.
4. Use Smart Plugs
Smart plugs automatically shut off power to your printer, so it doesn’t draw electricity when not in use. They are low-cost, easy to use, and will save you money and help the environment automatically!
5. Invest in an Eco-Friendly Printer
Investing in an eco-friendly printer is the ultimate green printing tip.
Epson EcoTank printers are cartridge-free and better for the environment. You can also buy high-quality refurbished printers that are in excellent condition and fully functional.
6. Share and Review Documents Electronically Whenever Possible
Share materials electronically whenever possible via email, Dropbox, etc. When signing documents, use apps such as Adobe Fill & Sign or Docusign.
7. Consider Adding an Eco-Friendly Message to Your Email Signature
A lot of people add “Please consider the environment before printing this email” to their email signature. There is some debate on how helpful this step is. Some say it is an easy step that gets people thinking about the environment. Others say it is an outdated practice that is often irrelevant or ignored by the reader.
How to Incorporate Sustainable Printing Policies
The easiest way to incorporate green printing tips and sustainable printing policies is to make small changes that people will hardly notice. Using recycled printing paper and Smart Plugs are quick wins you can implement today!
3 Additional Ways to Reduce Paper Waste
1. Use Paperless Notebooks
Use paperless notebooks to take notes. Our readers love the Rocketbook Notebook. It looks and feels like a regular notebook but is a paperless environmentally friendly alternative! It is the most popular ecofriendly notebook and has tons of positive reviews on Amazon.
2. Recycled Notebooks
Notebooks made from recycled materials are also a good way to save paper. There are tons of high-quality, environmentally friendly options.
3. Recycled Post-it Notes
Finally, use Post-it notes made from recycled paper! America’s favorite sticky notes come in a variety of colors and will help you reduce paper waste.
Which green printing tips are you using? Let us know in the comments below!
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