📌 Sustainable Printing Tips: Key Takeaways
Sustainable printing starts with smarter everyday habits.
To reduce waste and improve efficiency in your office, organizations should::
- Optimize print settings and habits by defaulting to duplex printing and encouraging employees to “think before you print”
- Implement print management tools to control usage, eliminate waste, and track performance
- Right-size your print environment with energy-efficient devices
- Choose eco-friendly supplies and recycling programs, including recycled paper and toner cartridge recycling
- Continuously monitor and improve print usage through data-driven insights and reporting
When businesses take a more intentional approach to printing, they reduce costs, minimize environmental impact, and create a more sustainable workplace.
Happy Earth Day everyone! Earth Day is a great reminder that even small operational changes can make a big environmental impact. For many organizations, printing remains an essential part of operations—but it’s also an area where sustainability improvements can make a meaningful difference.
Sustainable printing isn’t about eliminating print entirely—it’s about making smarter, more responsible choices that reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower your organization’s environmental footprint. We’ve put together nine practical, easy-to-implement tips below to help your business embrace sustainable printing this Earth Day and beyond, without sacrificing productivity.
1. Set Duplex (Double-Sided) Printing as the Default
One of the simplest ways to support sustainable printing is by setting all printers to duplex mode by default. Printing on both sides of the paper can reduce paper consumption by up to 50%.
Why it matters:
- Cuts paper usage in half
- Lowers supply and storage costs
- Minimizes environmental impact immediately
2. Implement the Use of Print Management Software
Print management solutions give organizations visibility and control over their print environment. With features like user authentication, print tracking, and rules-based printing, businesses can significantly cut down on unnecessary output and thus minimize wasteful printing.
Key benefits for sustainable printing:
- Eliminates abandoned print jobs
- Encourages responsible printing habits
- Provides data to continuously optimize usage
👉 Learn more about how print management services can benefit your organization
3. Choose Energy-Efficient Devices
Older devices often consume more power and lack eco-friendly features. Modern printers and multifunction devices are designed with energy efficiency in mind. Choosing printers and MFPs that are ENERGY STAR® and EPEAT® certified can significantly reduce energy usage.
Pro tip: Look for devices with sleep modes and low power consumption ratings and features. For example, for workplaces that need a floor-standing office copier, the Xerox AltaLink 8200 series has achieved EPEAT®, ENEGRY STAR® and Blue Angel certifications and features a Smart Proximity Sensor that conserves energy during inactive periods and automatically activates the device when a user approaches.
4. Optimize Your Print Fleet
Many offices have more printers than they actually need and/or devices that are underutilized. A print assessment can identify inefficiencies and reduce unnecessary equipment.
Benefits include:
- Lower energy consumption
- Fewer supplies needed
- Reduced maintenance requirements
👉 Schedule a no-obligation print assessment with Parmetech!
5. Encourage “Think Before You Print” Habits
Creating a culture of mindful printing is key to long-term sustainability. Digital workflows, cloud storage, and collaboration tools make it easier than ever to reduce reliance on paper.
Simple strategies:
- Use digital signatures instead of printing contracts
- Share documents electronically (especially internal documents)
- Review documents on-screen before printing
6. Use Recycled and Eco-Friendly Paper
Switching to recycled paper is a simple but powerful way to support sustainable printing. Many high-quality recycled options perform just as well as traditional paper.
Look for:
- High post-consumer recycled content
- FSC® or similar certifications
- Chlorine-free processing
7. Recycle Toner Cartridges and Supplies
Printer cartridges should never end up in the trash. Most manufacturers offer recycling programs that allow you to return used supplies safely such as the Xerox Cartridge Collection Program. At Parmetech, we work with our customers and offer Eco box pick up to return your used toner cartridges to be recycled for you.
Pro tip: Set up a designated recycling station in your office to make participation easy.
8. Enable Secure Print Release
Secure print release ensures that documents are only printed when the user is physically present at the device. This eliminates forgotten or abandoned print jobs.
Why it supports sustainable printing:
- Reduces paper waste and abandoned print jobs
- Improves document security
- Encourages intentional printing
👉 Explore secure print release solutions
9. Track and Optimize Your Print Usage
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Tracking print usage and environmental impact metrics helps organizations stay accountable and continuously improve.
Metrics to track:
- Total pages printed
- Color vs. black-and-white usage
- Paper and toner consumption
Pro tip: Utilizing print management software and/or a managed print services provider can make tracking and optimizing your print usage incredibly easy and effortless.
Make Sustainable Printing Part of Your Everyday Strategy
Earth Day is the perfect time to evaluate your organization’s environmental impact—but sustainable printing should be a year-round initiative. By implementing even a few of these strategies, your business can reduce waste, cut costs, and contribute to a healthier planet.
At Parmetech, we help organizations design smarter, more efficient print environments that align with their sustainability goals. Whether you’re looking to optimize your fleet, implement print management, or transition to more eco-friendly practices, our team is here to help! Give use a call at (800) 727-6383, send us an email at info@parmetech.com, or submit a request through our website form to get the conversation started!
