Being eco-conscious is more important now than ever before. That extends to everything we do in life, including our work and hobbies. One thing that many people do every day is use a printer. Whether it's for scanning, copying, or printing out treasured photos, a printer is something many of us cannot live without. But the environmental impact of using a printer cannot be forgotten. How do users continue printing whilst reducing their environmental impact? Here’s how to make every print count.
Print Only What You Need
Before hitting ‘print’, pause for a moment and ask: Does this document truly need to be on paper? Whenever possible, use digital alternatives, review files on-screen, send digital notes, or collaborate via email rather than printing hard copies. For drafts, meeting notes, or internal memos, limit print runs to cut down on unnecessary pages. Even using virtual whiteboards or PDFs can help teams stay connected, without the pile-up of waste paper.
Optimise Print Settings for Sustainability
A simple change to a printer’s default settings can have a big impact. Set the printer to double-sided printing only. Printing on both sides of the paper can cut paper use in half instantly. For internal documents or quick references, switch to draft or eco mode. These settings consume less ink or toner, extending the life of ink cartridges, and speeds up print jobs for added convenience. Many printers have an ‘N-up’ feature, letting users print multiple document pages on a single sheet. The small changes add up to substantial environmental savings over time.
Smart Choices for Fonts and Layouts
It’s not common knowledge, but the type of font and formatting used greatly affects how much ink and toner is used. Fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Ecofont are specifically designed for efficiency, reducing ink or toner use per printed page. Adjusting font size and reducing margins allows more content to fit on each sheet, stretching the supply of ink cartridges and paper a bit further with every job. For those preparing a lengthy report or multi-page set of notes, thoughtful layout design will save resources and produce less clutter to manage or store.
Prioritise Black & White Printing
Reserve colour printing for essential visuals, presentations, or photos. For most everyday documents, set the printer’s default to black and white. Colour toner cartridges are valuable, but black toner is generally more affordable and lasts longer. Making black-and-white the standard prevents accidental draining of colour cartridges and keeps costs down, ensuring the toner cartridges last longer between replacements.
Maintain Your Printer and Cartridges
Printers, just like any other piece of technology, run better with a little regular care. Routine maintenance like cleaning printheads and running diagnostic checks, helps avoid frustrating clogs, blotchy output, and unexpected breakdowns. Well-maintained printers get the most from each ink or printer toner cartridge, helping you avoid unnecessary waste and extending the life of any printing supplies. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning and servicing to ensure optimal performance. Keeping the machine in top shape also means fewer misprints that waste both paper and ink.
Choose Sustainable Products and Recycle
Always opt for recycled or responsibly sourced paper where possible. Never throw empty cartridges in the bin. Return spent toner cartridges and ink cartridges through manufacturer recycling programs or reputable schemes. Recycling helps keep materials out of landfills and supports a circular economy, dramatically reducing the environmental footprint of every print job.
Invest in the Right Supplies
Opt for high-yield or extra high-capacity cartridges, especially for those who print frequently, they deliver more prints per cartridge and reduce the packaging and shipping involved in replacements. Brands like HP, Lexmark, and Samsung all offer these options. For those with the highest output, consider printers with refillable tanks, or select printer toner cartridge models with affordable compatible alternatives. TonerOne carries options for all major brands and needs. Selecting the right type and size of cartridge is not only greener but also more economical for your wallet.
Print Smarter, Live Greener
Adopting these smarter printing habits means users can help the environment, reduce clutter, and save money, all while producing top-quality prints when they’re needed most. At TonerOne, we make it easy to choose the most sustainable printing options, with a complete range of ink cartridges, and toner cartridge products for Brother Lexmark, Dell, and many more. Our expert team is on hand to help answer any questions about what printing solutions are right for you. Ready to print smarter? Contact us today for more information and discover how little changes can have a big impact on your workflow, your budget, and the planet.