Managed print services and the environment

The growth of managed print services (MPS) has led to many organisations seeking out a more effective way of managing print resources, proving to offer many benefits to companies from a financial, productivity and resource point of view. The impact that MPS has had on environmental concerns regarding the printing industry however has been the most visible impact of all. Green printing has become far more than a buzz word, and in today's eco conscious times more and more companies are starting to realise the need for more sustainable practices within the workplace.

 Some of the greatest impact that managed print services have had from an environmental perspective include the following:

• Paper – using a rules based system, managers are able to not only control the amount of paper being wasted, but also consider the type of paper that is used for printing. Unbleached paper has become more readily available, with a number of eco-friendly options that no longer break the bank.  
• Ink – educating individuals, departments and entire companies about the important of cartridge recycling has led to a greater sense of awareness. This in turn results in a notable reduction in the resolution of the image by decreasing toner usage, which uses less ink during the printing process. Environmentally friendly inks are also available, made from vegetable dyes rather than chemicals, which further aids the environmental impact of managed print services.  
• Hardware – another way that MPS is able to assist companies wanting to make their printing practices greener is the ability to source hardware from factories that manufacture the hardware in a way that makes it upgradable and recyclable. This leads to reduced waste of products that are not biodegradable. Many printer manufacturers are turning to a greener way of printing, with many new products on the market designed to be more sustainable in regards to power usage and even ink and toner usage.
• Device packaging – companies are also beginning to consider how hardware is packaged. This has led to a greater reach of recycled products rather than packing that is made from toxic materials such as PVC or polystyrene, which is bad for the environment and is also not biodegradable or recyclable.
• Energy – a huge deal of energy is used during the printing process, as well as during the production of paper and ink. When one considers how many printers are used on a daily basis all over the world, the impact begins to be even more serious. Managed print services enables companies to reduce power through specialised software that monitors print devices and prevents potential issues that may come from old printers that are using more power. By keeping print devices upgraded and in good shape, and even reducing printer fleets within organisations to be more sustainable, less energy is consumed.
• Suppliers – many companies may think about their own green printing strategies, but not many stop to think about how their suppliers. Suppliers who use toxic chemicals or packaging that is not good for the planet, or are not committed to a more sustainable practice can be just as bad as not having a clear green printing strategy in the company. Managed print services offer an effective way to partner with suppliers who share the same goals and visions for a more environmentally friendly way of business.

About the Author

Bob Jones offers advice for businesses seeking reliable <a href="http://www.paperserve.co.za/">managed print services</a>, telephone and printer audits or <a href="http://www.paperserve.co.za/">green printing</a> options.