Are you looking for helpful tips on how to print as sustainably as possible? Then you've come to the right place! Our paper consumption, the production of printers, toner and other printed materials, mailing, chemical inks, the energy consumption of devices and our usage behavior all have an impact on our ecological footprint and the environment.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to print in a much more environmentally friendly way.
In this article, I'll give you the best tips for making copies and printouts as sustainable as possible and for using printers in a more resource-efficient way. Let's go!
1. use printers and copiers that suit you
Make sure that your printer offers exactly the functions you need for everyday use. If the device is in your sustainable home office is used, is a Multifunctional device with print, scan and copy function* certainly the most sensible solution.
A such Laser printer* may be sufficient if, for example, you only want to use the black and white copies for your children's homework. For effective Color prints on the other hand this inkjet printer* recommended.1
When buying, however, make sure that it lasts as long as possible. compatible with your computer and other hardware so that you can use it for many years to come.
Tip: In theory, you can also do without the scanner function. I use a smartphone app for scanning, which saves the files directly online. Absolutely uncomplicated.
2. use recycled paper
On average, we Germans consume around 227 kilograms of paper per year. This puts Germany almost at the top worldwide.2 Ultimately, we are also driving the Deforestation ahead. Globally, one in five trees is turned into paper.3
Printing with Recycled paper is therefore considered to be particularly environmentally friendly. This is also because it consumes around two thirds less energy and water than new paper. The Federal Environment Agency recommendswhen buying on the seal "Blue Angel (my recommendation*) must be observed. It identifies paper made from recycled waste paper, cardboard and paperboard.
3. prefer paper from sustainable forestry
At the seals FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) you can recognize paper products from sustainable forestry. Ecological use of resources and preservation of the forest have top priority in production.
Also the "Cradle to Cradle Standard" is a safe sign for consumers, as the paper is produced in a natural, resource-conserving way. Circular Economy and raw materials are reused. So if you want to print sustainably, you should give preference to appropriate products.
4. use environmentally friendly inks and toners
Often, printer inks contain mineral oils and substances that make it difficult to recycle the waste paper. Modern, natural inks, on the other hand, are used, for example from vegetable oils and resins without sacrificing color and print quality.
When choosing toners, also make sure that they are made from recycled plastic and that they fit your printer. There are even refillable ink cartridges, which in the sense of the Zero Waste Lifestyle create even less waste.
5. pay attention to ecological packaging
For me, sustainable printing also means ensuring that the packaging of the printing paper and toner itself is as sustainable as possible. plastic-free, recyclable and natural are. So you can Conserve natural resources and still use your printer as usual.
6. set print options to "double-sided
Whenever you have the option, you should check the "double-sided" box in the printer settings in order to Save paper. The prerequisite is of course that your Printer supports this function and that it serves the respective reason for the expression.
7. minimize number of pages
Another tip for sustainable use of your printer is to keep the number of pages to a minimum. For example, use smaller fonts, take out images from your file and simply print according to the principle: as few pages as possible, as many as absolutely necessary.
8. activate black and white setting
To save ink and energy and therefore also Saving resourcesin your printer settings, you can also directly select the Check the "black and white" boxif you don't need to print something in color and high quality.
For ordinary documents this setting is usually completely sufficient. You can also print sustainably and save ink this way.
9. go to a sustainable print shop
It is not always possible to avoid printouts and copies. Fortunately, there are now many print and copy stores that follow a sustainable company philosophy and are particularly helpful when you have a lot of pages or even Flyers, leaflets, business cards, postcards or product labels must be printed.
In any case, you should make sure that the printing company of your choice resource-efficient management, certifications for environmental management, such as EMAS or DIN ISO 14001 has received and, ideally, also operates and ships climate-neutrally.
10. print with foresight
Everyone should heed this tip for sustainable printing - whether they are private individuals or businesses. As with sustainable driving, it is worth looking ahead in printing matters as well.
That means: Simply print only what is absolutely necessary. Do you really have to print out a concert ticket or is the digital version on your smartphone sufficient? Does it have to be a written letter - or is an e-mail also sufficient?
Even if you have no alternative, there are still opportunities! For example, ask yourself whether a lower circulation or number of pages is sufficient and whether finishing the pages at the print shop is really necessary. Another tip is to give preference to a smaller formatto save paper and ink.
Tip: And if you accidentally print out too much, at least use the back side as scratch paper before the paper goes straight into the trash.
11. minimize delivery routes
Ideally, the Print shop near you around the corner - and uses paper from regional recycling. This means that neither the store nor you have to travel long distances by car.
Also try, Misprints and Avoid returnsby taking a close look at your file and the print job before placing the order.
12. prefer vegan products
The "detour animal" (cultivation of animal feed, creation of grazing areas) worsens not only the ecological balance of our diet, but also our printing behavior. Because in fact paper is often still with gelatin and casein treated.
Also Printing inks now and then contain animal fats or beeswaxes - and Adhesives for example, the gelatine protein glutin. So if you want to print in an animal-friendly and, last but not least, environmentally friendly way, you should look for the Vegan label that can be found not only on food, but also on many office supplies.
Tip: If you are interested, you can find out more in the linked article, Why I have been vegan for many years.
13. pay attention to climate neutrality
The Climate Change is undoubtedly one of the biggest Environmental problems of our time. Our printing behavior is also part of the cause. The production of printers, cartridges, paper etc. generates large quantities of the greenhouse gas CO2.
Fortunately, there are also climate-neutral print shops and providers who Offset CO2 emissions. For example, through donations to climate protection organizations. So pay attention to this sustainability aspect when buying printing paper or choosing your print shop.
14. care and maintenance of own equipment
The more care you take with your printer, the longer it will serve you faithfully. and the less natural resources are necessary for your printing needs.
So make sure, for example, that the Power cable does not kink or tears off. What? Yes, I actually destroyed my printer once because of that. 😉
15. inspire reflection with an e-mail signature
Email per se is a great way to save paper (like envelopes and the letter itself). But in fact I know some people who still print out their emailseven if the younger generation can hardly imagine such a thing.
So if you want to motivate others to be more sustainable with the printer and the paper or the raw material wood, then you should simply add a small but effective phrase to your signature such as "Please think about the environment before rushing to print this message." Install
Sustainable printing? No problem at all!
Printing sustainably is really not complicated. However, it is important to understand that every avoided expression paper, energy, water and last but not least Saves money in a sustainable way. A nice motivation, isn't it?
"Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and nature are in fact plans to protect man."
Stewart Udall, American lawyer and politician (1920-2010)
I hope I have been able to help you with this article. Do you have any questions, suggestions or further tips for environmentally friendly printing? Then I look forward to your comment!
Stay sustainable,
PS: Do you work from home? At Home office organization I'm going to introduce you to the best tips for working productively at home. Have fun!
References:
- Stiftung Warentest: The best printer for you (as of 17.08.2021), available at https://www.test.de/Drucker-im-Test-4339831-0. [22.11.2024]. ↩︎
- WWF Germany: Turning forests into paper (as of 07.09.2021), available at https://www.wwf.de/themen-projekte/waelder/papierverbrauch/zahlen-und-fakten. [22.11.2024]. ↩︎
- OroVerde - The Tropical Forest Foundation: Paper - What paper consumption has to do with rainforests, available at https://www.regenwald-schuetzen.org/verbrauchertipps/papier. [22.11.2024]. ↩︎
