The Ins and Outs of Printer Lifespans

Just like humans, the lifespan of business printers—from selection to disposal—depends on multiple factors, and there are a number of ways to increase it. One of them is the adoption of eco-friendly practices. Sustainable printing will not just help preserve your print equipment but also maximize print efficiency and minimize environmental impact.

Choosing an Eco-Friendly Printer

Modern eco-friendly printers are designed with energy efficiency and reduced waste in mind. Consider looking for models with Energy Star certification or similar eco-friendly labels when choosing a printer. Those indicate that the device meets stringent energy efficiency guidelines.

In addition, you may opt for printers that use eco-friendly printer ink. Those with refillable ink tanks or high-yield cartridges reduce the frequency of replacements.

Look into the printer’s overall environmental impact as well. Many manufacturers now produce printers with recycled materials and sustainable packaging, which reduces their carbon footprint.

Sustainable Printing Practices During the Printer’s Lifecycle

Maintaining sustainable printing practices throughout your lifecycle is important once you've selected an eco-friendly printer. An example of such practice is SumnerOne’s PrintReleaf program, which plants trees based on the number of pages your company prints. A tree is planted for every 8,333 sheets printed, contributing to global reforestation efforts. As of September 2024, SumnerOne has already helped plant 128,002 trees through this initiative.

To further promote sustainability, make sure that your printer settings are optimized for eco-friendly printing. This includes using duplex (double-sided) printing to cut paper usage in half, as well as selecting draft mode for your internal documents to conserve ink. Encouraging your employees to adopt digital alternatives to printing, such as sharing documents electronically, will also reduce your paper and ink consumption.

Maintenance and Upgrades

In the hustle and bustle of everyday work, many organizations unfortunately forget the importance of proper printer maintenance. This is vital in extending the life of your printer and maintaining its eco-friendly status.

Predictive maintenance is an innovative approach that uses data and analytics to anticipate when parts need servicing or replacing. This can prevent breakdowns and extend your printer's lifespan. This proactive approach not only reduces the need for premature replacements but also minimizes the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and transporting new printers.

Moreover, upgrading your printer with new eco-friendly components, like energy-efficient power supplies or updated software that optimizes performance, can align your device with sustainability goals. Even if your printer is older, it can still be valuable today. By keeping it well-maintained and upgrading parts as needed, you can avoid the waste and environmental impact associated with purchasing a new device.

Responsible Disposal and Recycling

Responsible disposal is crucial when your printer finally reaches the end of its lifecycle. E-waste, including old printers, is a major environmental concern due to the hazardous materials they contain. Recycling your printer through certified e-waste recyclers will ensure that its components are safely and efficiently processed so that materials like metals and plastics are recovered and reused.

SumnerOne is a huge advocate of sustainability and supports manufacturers in their take-back programs, where they accept old printers and responsibly recycle them. These programs often offer incentives for returning your old equipment. This makes it easier and more cost-effective to dispose of your printer in an eco-friendly manner.

Committing to Sustainable Printing

Understanding the lifespan of your business printer is integral to practicing sustainable printing in your organization. Each step plays a role in reducing your environmental impact, from choosing an eco-friendly printer to adopting sustainable practices during its use, maintaining it with predictive maintenance, and disposing of it responsibly. Committing to these practices enables your organization to contribute to a healthier planet while also benefiting from cost savings and enhanced efficiency.

If your organization wants to embrace sustainable printing fully, experts like SumnerOne can provide the necessary guidance and resources. With our focus on eco-friendly solutions—such as the PrintReleaf program and advanced maintenance strategies—SumnerOne helps organizations of all sizes confidently apply sustainable printing.

Ready to embrace eco-friendly printing? Book a consultation with our team today!