Eco-Friendly Printing Practices For Hospitals and Clinics

Patient records, prescriptions, and administrative paperwork are indispensable elements in all hospitals and clinics—and while this dependency on printed documents is essential, it comes at a cost.

According to the Healthcare Environment Resource Center, U.S. healthcare facilities generate nearly two billion pounds of paper-related wastage annually, contributing to a growing environmental burden that healthcare facilities can no longer ignore

Why Go Green?

Since paper waste can indirectly contribute to deforestation and unnecessary expenses, healthcare—an industry that thrives on efficiency and sustainability—is encouraged to take a crucial step forward. The entire industry is encouraged to shift to eco-friendly printing practices.

This critical decision doesn’t start from the top but rather with small, actionable changes that every facility should implement, be it a hospital or clinic.

Effective Eco-Friendly Printing Practices

But what exactly are these “actionable changes”? They come in the form of eco-friendly printing practices that focus on reducing the environmental footprints of healthcare facilities.

Let’s take a look at some of these practices:

1. Switch to Sustainable Printing Materials 
   Using recycled, FSC-certified, or chlorine-free paper is one of the more effective and easy-to-implement eco-friendly printing practices. These materials can reduce deforestation and also minimize chemical pollution. In addition, their use helps lessen landfill waste from paper disposal processes. 
   
   
2. Use of Eco-Friendly Inks & Toners  
   Most organizations cycle through multiple inks and toners monthly. A healthier practice is to use soy-based and vegetable-based inks whenever possible. Compared to their petroleum-based counterparts, the former produces fewer harmful emissions, thus helping reduce toxic waste. 
   
   
3. Installation of Print Management Software
   This software enables organizations to monitor printer usage to reduce unnecessary printing and, by extension, unnecessary paper use. In addition, this centralized system helps streamline workflows and, as a bonus, can increase your organization’s overall operational productivity.
   
   

Partner With a Trusted Print Solutions Provider

If your healthcare facility is ready to start your green printing journey, a proven print solutions provider can be instrumental in ensuring your success. For over 70 years, SumnerOne has been helping organizations all over the Midwest seamlessly transition to sustainable printing and implement eco-friendly practices.

With our team of print specialists, we’ll provide vendor-agnostic recommendations and offer print solutions tailored to your printing needs and sustainability goals.

Interested in implementing eco-friendly practices and having a reliable print technology provider? Just contact us to get started.