“Print, move and manage” is a concept that Lexmark International advocates as part of its environment sustainability strategy. Chairman and chief executive Paul Curlander, at a roundtable discussion with the media in Singapore recently, explains the company’s focus on going green.

Curlander says the “print, move and manage” approach offers solutions to print less, move information digitally, and manage output across the enterprise.

PRINTERS are increasingly being made more energy-efficient than before, yet a majority of enterprises still do have a grip on managing their printers and paper usage, both crucial aspects in helping companies stay environment-friendly.

Lexmark studies have revealed that organisations have too many under-utilised devices placed in the wrong places from a productivity standpoint. Paper wastage is also common because many organisations do not know how much printing or copying is done daily.

“The real issue in organisations with distributed environments is that printers are unmanaged and under-utilised. They do not know the number of pages printed daily and the resultant cost because they do not have the solutions to gauge,” said Lexmark International’s chairman and chief executive Paul Curlander.

He pointed out that large enterprises have a distributed fleet of print and copy devices. Based on studies with over 3,000 customers, it has been found that there is about one device per two users on average. Ideally, it should be one device for six to eight users.

And based on a study in the United Kingdom, it has been found that 50 per cent of paper printed is discarded quickly.

In general, it has been found that an employee uses 13,000 pages per year for printing, copying and faxing, which Curlander believes is a serious environmental and cost problem for large enterprises. What’s more, Lexmark’s lifecycle assessment on laser printers has showed that paper usage is the highest contributor to carbon emissions.

To help enterprises implement sustainable printing, Curlander highlighted Lexmark’s focus on “print, move and manage” services. The approach offers solutions to print less, move information digitally, and manage output across the enterprise. Lexmark’s printers and multi-function printers are built with solutions that help reduce paper-intensive processess.

Curlander pointed out that device consolidation and strategic placing of devices in the office environment are equally important in optimising usage, improving workflow and reducing costs.

Lexmark’s commitment to the environment is extended also through its Cartridge Collection Programme, which enables users to return empty cartridges to Lexmark or authorised supplies resellers at no charge for recycling. If possible, Lexmark would process the returned cartridges into Lexmark Certified Reconditioned Cartridges; those that cannot be reused are processed for material recovery.

Besides that, Lexmark is championing its “green” advocacy by example. Its office in Suresnes, France, has become a showcase for environmentally responsible printing practices which have brought significant reduction in device, energy, paper and cost per year and are now replicated in other Lexmark offices worldwide.

“If enterprises want significant reduction in cost and carbon, they should not only optimise what they have, but also bring a cultural change in the office environment by communicating with staff. They must explain the need to change and educate employees for better outcome,” Curlander said.