Johannesburg, 31 Mar 2022
Businesses across the world are working hard to reduce their environmental footprint and with good reason. One great way to start is with printing habits. Environmentally responsible and sustainable printing practices should form part of every business’s eco-consciousness.
Paper is sustainable
There’s a misconception that paper manufacturing causes deforestation. In fact, paper is a sustainable product as it is made from renewable resources and it's biodegradable. The wood used to make paper is grown in sustainable, managed forests. What causes deforestation is the need for timber, mining, agriculture expansion and infrastructure development. The South African pulp and paper manufacturing sector is recognised globally as a sustainable and well-regulated industry.
Low obsolescence
Multi-function printers (MFPs) have a smaller footprint and generally have a longer life cycle than many other types of hardware, such as laptops, for example. They are robust and they stay in one place, giving them low obsolescence. The firmware on which they operate can easily be updated or upgraded online.
Energy efficiency
In line with market demands, printer manufacturers have developed MFPs that are more energy efficient than ever, and certainly consume far less power than a notebook.
Printer cartridge recycling
Activated toner powder leftover when recycling cartridges can be re-used as a high-quality pigment.
In addition, companies have been promoting recycling of used printer cartridges for years. Unfortunately, many used toner cartridges are put into the trash and end up in a landfill.
Businesses that choose to dispose of toner cartridges responsibly can do so through several collection programmes, but the challenge is that toner cartridges are made from more difficult-to-recycle plastics. Because manufacturers use different plastics, it’s also not always possible to granulate the plastics from different cartridges together.
Where plastic granulation is an option, another challenge is how to turn that into useful secondary products in ways that are financially viable.
Tarsus Distribution is investigating two possible solutions:
- Developing a reverse logistics strategy for management of used toner cartridge returns, ensuring that they are disposed of appropriately; and
- Reaching out to potential partners who are keen to take recycled plastic and manufacture new plastic products.
If you’re looking for a partner to help your business with its technological journey and provide you with technologies that are smarter, more secure and sustainable, schedule a one-on-one consultation with us today: Take care of your business technology – Tarsus Distribution.
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