This coming weekend we will celebrate Earth Day, a day that has been celebrated every year on April 22nd for the last 50 years to promote awareness for the health of our environment. The theme of Earth Day 2023 is “Invest in Our Planet”, which highlights the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues. As stated on earthday.org, “Sustainability is the path to prosperity for humanity and businesses alike. Companies who’ve developed strong Environment Social Governance (ESG) standards are seeing better profitability, stronger financial performance, and happier employees. There is no longer a choice between going green and growing long term profits. It is crucial for businesses of all sizes to act now.” And we agree.
Strategies for Promoting Sustainable Workplace Technology
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the need for sustainable practices in the workplace. One area where sustainability can have a significant impact is technology. With the increasing use of digital tools and devices in the workplace, it is important to consider the environmental impact of these technologies and how we can make them more sustainable. Keep reading below as we take a look at some strategies for promoting sustainable workplace technology.
1. Energy-Efficient Devices
One of the most significant ways to reduce the environmental impact of workplace technology is by choosing energy-efficient devices. Many electronics now come with an ENERGY STAR rating, which indicates that they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There is also the EPEAT® environmental rating system that identifies electronic equipment meeting specific environmental criteria, combining comprehensive criteria for design, production, energy use and recycling with ongoing independent verification of manufacturer claims. EPEAT® products are rated either Bronze, Silver or Gold. By choosing EPEAT® and ENERGY STAR-rated devices, companies can save on energy costs while reducing their carbon footprint.
A few examples of sustainable workplace technology products that Parmetech can offer our customers include:
Printers & Multifunction Devices
- Xerox AltaLink Series – EPEAT Gold
- Xerox VersaLink Series – EPEAT Gold + Silver
- Xerox PrimeLink Series – EPEAT Gold
- Lexmark Printers & MFPs – EPEAT Gold + Silver
- HP Printers & MFPS – EPEAT Gold, Silver + Bronze
Interactive Displays
- ViewSonic IFP50 Series of Interactive Displays – EPEAT Bronze
- ViewSonic IFP52 Series of Interactive Displays – EPEAT Bronze
- ViewSonic IFP62 Series of Interactive Displays – EPEAT Silver
2. Recycling Programs
Another way to support sustainable workplace technology is to ensure technology products and accessories in the workplace are properly disposed of. Many electronic devices contain hazardous materials that can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly. To promote sustainable workplace technology, companies can implement recycling programs that encourage employees to properly dispose of electronic devices. This can include setting up recycling bins for electronics, partnering with local recycling programs, or offering incentives for employees who recycle their old devices.
Parmetech ensures that when our customers are upgrading to new print equipment, that the used printing equipment is properly return and recycled. Additionally, Parmetech is proud to be a top-tier Xerox Diamond Level Authorized Dealer, and to offer our customers the ability to easily recycle their used supplies through Xerox’s Green World Alliance supplies take-back program. When you’re done with printer supplies you can send back the used cartridge/toner container in the box it came in or order Eco Boxes for free with pre-paid return labels from Xerox. You can also create your own Eco Box using cardboard. Customers recycling their used toner supplies have kept more than 145 million pounds of waste out of landfills over the past 20 years!
3. Sustainable IT Policies
Lastly, to promote sustainable workplace technology, once technology has been implemented in the office, companies can implement policies that encourage responsible use of such technology. This can include guidelines for device usage, such as turning off devices when not in use, or setting up power-saving features. Companies can also set goals for reducing energy consumption and track their progress over time.
A great resource for IT wanting to promote sustainable workplace technology practices when it comes to interactive technology is ViewSonic’s myViewBoard Manager. This cloud-based device management tool delivers centralized control through a single, easy-to-use web-based platform, so you can securely set up, manage and maintain all of your organization’s devices from a centralized dashboard. Through this tool, IT admin can control 1, 100 or 1,000 devices remotely from the admin portal including turning the device screen on/off or even automating tasks to turn screens on/off or to power devices on/off. For example, you can schedule that all screens be powered off at 5pm every day in effort to promote sustainable workplace technology policies.
By implementing sustainable workplace technology practices, companies can reduce their environmental impact while also saving on energy costs and promoting a culture of sustainability. Whether through energy-efficient devices, recycling programs, or sustainable IT policies, there are many ways to make technology more sustainable in the workplace.
