In recent times, issues such as climate change, renewable energies and considering the impact of non-renewable resource use have gained importance and public visibility.

This hasn’t been limited to the news and media, as both consumers and businesses have begun to seriously consider sustainability issues as part of their selection process when they work with or for organisations.

For companies, this means a need to start thinking about how traditional operations can be transformed, and brought in line with current sustainable thinking and the expectations of customers and the market, overhauling print operations, reducing waste and making operations more sustainable.

Why is sustainability so important?

A McKinsey Global survey found that a growing number of companies are actively integrating sustainability principles into business practices, whether by developing green products, saving energy or motivating employees.

Likewise, market research in several markets has identified a growing shift in consumer thinking, as people become more comfortable with the idea of renewable energies such as solar and wind power.

A recent Iposos report found that a number of Australians are not opposed to the idea of solar installations on rooftops, or even large-scale facilities, helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and carbon footprint.

Given the change in the world we live in, the time has come for businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors, to start thinking seriously about putting sustainable plans into action.

Thankfully, it’s quite easy with the right technologies – and the right provider.

So how can you get started with sustainability, regardless of the market you work in? You need to start by taking a good look at current practices.

Assess your technology

One of the biggest areas of improvement is likely to be the technology side of the business, especially when it comes to print operations.

For many companies, printing and document processes may well have been in place for years without amendment or examination – something which can often lead to inefficient processes, which can herald a lack of awareness around the impact this has on renewable and sustainable practices.

At FUJIFILM Australia, we are able to provide customers with access to the Environmental Footprint Calculator, a tool capable of estimating the effects of a print operation overhaul.

It can help you to identify the need to make changes, and where these changes need to be focussed, within your organisation.

After the plan has been formulated, and every area assessed within the company, it’s time to start putting a plan into action.

Cut down on waste

As has already been mentioned, print operations are like to be an area that requires a refocus, especially if there’s been little improvement in the past few years.

Many organisations find that waste through unnecessary print is one of the core areas of wastage.

Alternatively, many organisations fail to recycle when there’s an opportunity to do so, and can often use worn out, legacy technology printers that consume more energy.

One of the best ways to take action here is by updating your fleet to the latest multifunction devices.

Newer devices will utilise a range of improved or newly developed technologies to minimise unnecessary print jobs and make printing smarter, as well as minimising the energy footprint of the device.

You are also able to make use of various software solutions designed to augment the performance of your devices.

For example, Print Navigator allows you to set rules for when documents can be printed and from what device.

In addition, it may be more cost effective to use smaller printers for standard document jobs, and only use the larger devices for specialised tasks.

Recycling is also important, but thankfully it’s an easy undertaking with FUJIFILM devices.

We’ve had a commitment to adding zero waste to landfills, and you’re able to benefit from a program that recycles old print cartridges.

What’s more, any parts from your devices that we collect are returned to our Eco Manufacturing centre.

How to get started

It’s time to make sustainability a top priority, but thankfully it’s easy when working with a provider like FUJIFILM Australia. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to learn more about sustainable business and new multifunction devices.

Original Article via FUJIFILM