Sustainable IT and the 2020 office

Here, we learn from Crispin Associates Ltd about sustainable IT and its impact on health in the 2020 office through an in-depth look at photocopiers and printers

2020 continues to throw up challenges in all directions, highlighting how mankind needs to rapidly progress thinking and actions, certainly around cleaner lives and working conditions. As I’ve said before, working long hours in a closed office environment may well be a thing of the past, but for those still committed to that environment and those attending on a less frequent basis, these are the facts:

Most printers, photocopiers, and the like, let’s group and call them MFDs for short (Multi-Function Devices), use laser technology to put image onto a piece of paper. Efficient they may be, in giving a nice sharp image, but part of the laser-based process creates all sorts of non-environmental concerns:

• Electric Use: They are essentially a little “heater” in the office, typically using up to a huge 2kw of power.
• Emissions: There are electrostatic charges occurring all the time, giving off harmful Ozone particles. There are Ozone filters built in to protect you and the atmosphere, but how sure are you that those are regularly cleaned and/or replaced?
• Waste Materials: Lots of essential moving parts are needed to keep the quality of image as you have come to expect. These parts need regularly replacing along with the toner consumables. The typical waste produced for every 100,000 pages printed (this relates to toners and components themselves like imaging drums, fusers, transfer belts etc, together with their respective packaging) looks like a 6’ high mountain or pyramid. Some are recyclable of course, but some are not! Don’t forget, all these parts have to be made somewhere, packaged, then physically shipped to the machine for replacement – and an engineer has to attend for same, taking the old parts with him and any packaging etc for disposal elsewhere (or maybe they are left for you to dispose of!)
• Air Quality: Because of the “heaters” in a Laser MFD, and the electrostatic charges tending to attract dust particles etc, the machines need built-in electric fans to help cool and constantly “flush” them out. Again, filtered but, just think – each machine potentially sucking in the ambient office air, mixing it with accumulated dust etc, then blowing it back out into the office. Any dust, bugs, viruses, etc, all blown around the office at the same time, too!

Is there a better way?

We all talk about the paperless office. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?

I can tell you, though, I’ve been hearing about this “Nirvana” for nigh on 40 years and I’m all for it – but it hasn’t happened yet and, as far as I can see, won’t for the foreseeable future either. Therefore, what is being done in the meantime?

Solution

Epson have paved the way, so far, by committing to a global sustainable future, and introducing the most environmentally-friendly MFDs ever seen.  The technology is Business InkJet and Epson hold the world-wide patents to the process that is potentially world changing:

Heat-Free Printing, so about 1/50th of the electricity consumed.

Minimal waste, only four fully recyclable bags versus a six inch high mountain of mainly non-recyclable rubbish.

No electric fans, so no air movement and, more importantly, no bugs/viruses constantly blown around your office.

Minimal moving parts, so high reliability and less user intervention required.

Consistent high quality and ability to produce pages up to four times faster than the equivalent laser technology.

To recap

Upgrading your laser office MFD to a Business InkJet Epson from Crispin Associates will save money, reduce waste, reduce air-transmitted content, reduce engineer/service calls and speed up your print process.

What is the catch?

There isn’t one. You may even find your running costs have reduced too, as the average cost of servicing is reduced compared to an equivalent Laser.

Crispin Associates embraced the Sustainability ethos some years ago and are steadily converting their existing and new clients away from traditional laser MFDs, across to the “heat-free” technology uniquely offered by Epson. Some of the savings realised are hard to believe: One construction company saved 1800kg of carbon and nearly £100,000 financially, by upgrading 30 machines; one primary school saved 60kg of carbon and £12,000 financially, by upgrading only two machines; a serviced office provider saved 1,320kg carbon and over £12,000 financially, by upgrading their machines—all fantastic, but true! Epson lead the way in terms of Global Change for The Good, with Science-based targets and a Commitment to Environmental Conservation. Greenhouse Gas reduction, for instance, is fully in line with the Paris Agreement.

Why Crispin Associates and Epson?

Dave has a great team and 40 years personal experience in supplying and supporting cutting-edge MFD technology. Epson is the “best of the best”, in terms of manufacturer commitment to Sustainability and whole-life carbon view, together with its purpose-focussed and value-driven Pro MFD range.

For those wishing to upgrade their traditional laser MFDs to a new Sustainable business inkjet, Procurement, leasing plans and service support, for the full Epson Pro range, are available through Crispin Associates throughout the UK and Ireland.

How do Crispin Associates see it? “Everybody should link their IT with their Sustainability Strategy – one can’t afford not to do this!”

It is fair to say, Crispin Associates are different from other copier suppliers, but their difference is positive – and their difference makes a difference. Get in touch to see how you, too, can do your bit, and get advice on the MFD aspects of Sustainable IT.

Crispin Associates (UK) Ltd

Official and authorised UK partner for Epson professional print range.

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*Please note: This is a commercial profile