Simple Green Printing Tips

Simple Green Printing Tips to Start Your Recycling and ReusingIn today’s modern business and home office environments you would think that heavy printing is practically a thing of the past but such is not the case. For some reason, many still must have a piece of paper in their hand to do their work.

One of the first areas to hit when adopting a recycle and reuse philosophy is to get a handle on printing and the supplies used to do it.

A simple way to begin is by making the following considerations when it comes to printing:

• Choose eco-friendly office supplies
• Purchase in bulk
• Switch to faxing
• View documents electronically instead of printing
• Print duplex
• Advertise store promotions

The simplest way to get started in the recycle and reuse arena is to insist on purchasing only eco-friendly office supplies for printing. Office supply stores carry their own lines of ink cartridges, paper, and other supplies that are all environmentally friendly and most likely at a reduced cost.

You might be able to work out a deal with an office store manager in getting a discount for purchasing eco-friendly office supplies in bulk. This also ties in with also asking the store manager if he has any promotional material that you can post on bulletin boards or distribute to your friends. The manager might just be happy to do this and compensate you for your efforts plus you might get a discount.

Negotiating discounts can also be done by organizing a meeting with those whom you know and proposing to get their wish lists. Once you have their wish lists together, take it to the store manager and see if you can work out a discount.

Another easy way to start recycling and reusing is to avoid printing altogether. Get in the habit of using fax machines and viewing documents on mobile electronic devices. If you absolutely must print, use a printer that can do the job in duplex mode (both sides of the paper).

Trees are amongst the most valuable of the world’s natural resources. Over-consumption has long-term effects such as soil erosion and reduction in the world’s oxygen supply. While trees are a renewable resource, it takes time to re-grow them. Likewise, plastics and chemicals used in non-green printing supplies contaminate our landfills and underlying water tables. Take these simple steps and begin adopting a recycle and reuse philosophy today.