The environmental impact of printing is multifaceted. If unregulated, you can churn through your resources fast, resulting in exorbitant paper waste, energy consumption, e-waste and a higher carbon footprint. But printing still stands as a staple many businesses rely on for communication and documentation. So as environmental concerns continue to take centre stage, many business leaders are looking for sustainable printing methods to help minimise their organisation’s environmental footprint without compromising operations. Enter Managed Print Services.
The benefits of harnessing MPS for sustainability
Managed Print Services (MPS) offer a practical solution to the challenge of finding more sustainable printing methods. It involves the end-to-end management of your organisation's print environment, encompassing devices, supplies, maintenance and document workflows. By optimising the way you distribute these resources and streamlining your print infrastructure, MPS promotes sustainability in five key ways.
1. Optimised resource allocation
MPS solutions strategically allocate your resources, ensuring that every print-related element is engineered for optimal efficiency. By conducting comprehensive assessments of your printing needs, MPS providers like Kyocera curate a fleet of devices precisely tailored to your organisation's requirements. This precision minimises the wastage of essential resources such as paper and toner or ink, so you can have complete confidence that you’re not using more than you need. With full visibility over your whole fleet, an MPS solution can even evaluate where you can downsize or optimise your fleet. For example, if the majority of your printing is in A4 your business might be able to substitute larger office printers for more cost-effective and energy-efficient desktop printers.
2. Energy efficiency
Through modern, power-saving features and the consolidation of devices, MPS minimises energy consumption, therefore lowering carbon emissions. This dedication to energy efficiency not only contributes to a greener operational framework but also translates into substantial cost savings for businesses.
3. Responsible disposal and electronic waste mitigation
The journey of sustainability continues beyond the printing phase, including the responsible disposal of consumables and equipment. For example, an MPS provider may offer a cartridge recycling program, as well as eco-friendly options for disposing of old printing devices. By adhering to stringent waste management protocols, managed print services reduce electronic waste, showcasing a commitment to the entire lifecycle of printing assets.
4. Transition to paperless workflows
MPS providers also help businesses transition from traditional paper-based workflows to digital processes. With the seamless integration of paperless solutions such as document management systems, MPS contributes to a reduction in paper consumption, thereby diminishing the demand for paper production and its associated environmental impact. This transition not only reduces waste but also enhances operational efficiency through digitised document management.
5. Scalability
MPS also offers the dual advantage of being as scalable as it is sustainable. As business demands evolve or fluctuate, MPS providers can seamlessly adjust your print infrastructure, adding or reducing devices, optimising workflows, or reallocating resources to align with your current requirements. This ensures that print network remains a dynamic and responsive solution that grows at the same pace as your organisation.
Finding an MPS provider that aligns with your eco-friendly initiatives
Your MPS provider should also be able to incorporate your company print policies to suit your sustainability practices. This can range from measures like less colour printing to reduce cartridge usage, or company-wide printing guidelines like double-side prints to reduce paper usage and minimise waste.
To maximise the sustainability benefits of MPS, your organisation should look for a provider that aligns with your eco-conscious stance. By opting for a provider committed to eco-friendly printer manufacturing and disposal practices, you further your positive impact on the environment. So it’s also important to partner with a provider that considers the complete lifecycle of printers, spanning from production to usage to disposal, in order to gauge their ecological footprint from end-to-end.
By introducing more sustainable printing methods like MPS, businesses can reduce their ecological footprint, drive innovation, streamline operations and demonstrate their commitment to a greener world.
Managed Print Services is a flexible and scalable print solution that can meet the changing needs of your organisation in the new era of work. Learn how you can reduce your costs, minimise risk, improve your environmental footprint and gain greater control of your print environment with a Managed Print solution.
