Copiers with automatic duplexing capability help save paper. Depending upon how frequently the feature is used, duplexing can result in a 10% to 40% reduction in paper. Digital copiers also present paper-saving opportunities through multi-page printing on a single sheet, as well as improvements in paper handling technology that reduce jams and misfeeds.
Many copier manufacturers participate in the Energy Star® program, a voluntary leadership program established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. To meet Energy Star® requirements, copiers must have a power management feature that reduces energy consumption during periods of inactivity.
Tier 2 requirements, adopted in 1997, apply to standardA characteristic or set of characteristics for an item, generally accepted by the manufacturers and users of the item as a required characteristic for all such items. copier models. Tier 3 requirements, adopted in 1999, apply to large format copiers designed to handle 17" x 22" paper or larger. According to the Energy Star® program, copiers equipped with low-power and automatic power-off features can save 30% to 40% of otherwise wasted energy.
By using purchase, rental, or leasing agreements that stipulate take-back of the copier when it is no longer needed, workplaces can avoid the necessity to manage the copier as a waste. These agreements transfer responsibility for safe management of toxic materials to those who provide the equipment. In certain cases, depending upon the replacement schedule, old copiers can even have reuseProducts or materials that, after serving their original function, can be used again in their present form; some are designed to be reused repeatedly, while others not specifically designed for reuse are creatively used to fill a need. value.
Manufacturers such as Xerox are redesigning copiers to be more easily disassembled for recycling, and some take back units in order to recondition or remanufacture certain components for reuse. Remanufactured copiers are available for purchase, often at cost savings compared to machines with all new components.
With the introduction of digital technology, copiers with all-in-one toner cartridges are becoming more common. These cartridges may be sent to a remanufacturer, thus saving resources and cutting waste. See Toner and Inkjet Cartridges.
Federal Executive Order 13123 directs federal agencies to select Energy Star® compliant products, including copiers. State and local governments are encouraged to follow this direction for their copier purchases.
Whether making single-sided or duplex copies, users expect efficient performance. Typically, duplexing involves a little extra paper handling time compared to single-sided copying. Because duplexing efficiency varies from model to model, look for those with efficient duplex output speed. With an efficient model, users will notice very little difference in the time it takes to make single-sided versus duplex copies.
Advances in duplexing technology have minimized paper jams. Particularly with older models, the risk of paper jamming increases due to extra paper handling and the heat generated from extended continuous use. Fortunately, if the copier is properly adjusted and good quality paper used, this potential is minimal. Newer digital copiers tend to be less susceptible to jamming because they generate less heat than most analog copiers. Proper storage and handling of the paper also minimizes jams. See Copy Paper for prevention tips.
Multi-function Copiers
Multi-function copiers
combine both printing and copying in one unit.
With considerable potential for reducing overall costs,
multi-function units can be equipped with a variety of add-on
features such as scanning, faxing, 11" X 17" duplexing, and
document security (allowing users to access printed documents by
entering a personal identification number, or PIN).
Reduced maintenance is a primary advantage. One multi-function unit can replace a copier and 2 to 3 laser printers, thus reducing the pieces of equipment to maintain. Ask your copy machine vendor for options and availability. All multi-function units are equipped with Energy Star® compliant features. Whether purchasing or leasing, it is likely offices will save money by switching to multi-function units. See Success Stories.
Recycled Paper Use
Recycled
paper is sometimes unfairly blamed for excessive jamming. More often
than not, the machine merely needs adjusting. When paper is truly at
fault, the issue is quality, regardless of whether or not the paper
has recycled content. Low-quality paper is rarely a good value, and
there are many high-quality recycled-content papers readily
available. See Copy
Paper.
Energy Star
The only difference in performance of copiers with sleep
features is the time it takes to "wake up" the machine
after periods of inactivity. Depending upon the copier speed, Energy
Star® either requires or recommends a 30-second recovery time from
low-power mode (many low-volume copiers are even faster). This is a
small compromise for the benefits of saving energy and extending the
life of the copier.
Most mid- and higher-speed analog models and nearly all digital models have automatic duplex capability as a standard feature. Some manufacturers offer duplexing capability as options on lower-speed copiers.
Energy Star
At least 17 manufacturers offer models that comply with Energy Star®
requirements.
Duplexing is available at no additional cost on most mid- and higher-speed analog models and nearly all digital models. When available as an option, adding duplex capability to low-speed analog models typically adds 25% to 30% to the base cost of the copier. Typically, it is not much more expensive to upgrade to a faster model that includes duplexing as a standard feature than to buy a slower model and pay for duplexing as an add-on feature.
Any extra costs for duplex capability should be balanced with savings in paper costs from regular use of this feature. Most offices can see a reduction in paper purchase costs of 10% to 40%. Even greater savings can be realized in postage and storage costs, as documents copied on both sides mean fewer sheets to mail or store.
Energy Star
Energy Star® compliant copiers save money by cutting energy
costs, typically by 30% to 40%, according to the Energy Star®
program. Energy Star® compliant copiers typically cost no more to buy
than comparable models without power-management features. To
estimate energy costs associated with your office copiers, printers
and other equipment, visit the EPA's Energy
Star® Cost Calculator Tools web site.
These screening tools calculate lifetime energy cost savings
for specific products at various efficiency levels and hours of
operation.
When purchasing or leasing a copier, it is important for the contract or agreement to specifically require that the copier run as well with recycled paper as with comparable-quality virgin paper. Additionally, the contract should specify consequences for the vendor if the machine does not perform to expectations. This provides the customer with leverage should the technician claim recycled paper is to blame for excessive jamming problems.
Duplexing
To increase the chances that
employees in the workplace use the duplexing feature, carefully
compare the output speeds for duplexing and single-sided copying.
Look for a model with duplex speed at least 80% as fast as one-sided
copiers.
Consider specifying efficiency ratings that are above average for your preferred model's size and speed. Specify that models make duplex copies at a speed no more than a certain percentage lower than single-sided copies. In practice, one county set a minimum speed for mid-speed copiers of 40 copies per minute for single-sided copying and a duplex copy speed that could not be more than 25% lower than single-sided copying for that model.
Energy Star
The Energy Star® Purchasing
Tool Kit offers sample procurement language for Energy Star®
compliant copiers, specifications for compliant
equipment, and other helpful pointers for purchasers. The Tool Kit
is available by calling Energy Star® toll-free at 888/STAR-YES
(888/782-7937), or by visiting the Energy Star® web
site.
Consider using a general specification in bid solicitations to establish a requirement for Energy Star® compliance, such as the following: "All copiers must meet federal Energy Star® power consumption guidelines and be shipped with the Energy Star® functions enabled."
More detailed specifications may also be provided to clarify desired features. Keep in mind that in order to meet Energy Star® requirements, standard copiers that make over 20 copies per minute and large format copiers that make over 40 copies per minute must enter a low-power mode after 15 minutes of inactivity. Copiers are also required to have a power off mode that engages after 30 to 90 minutes of inactivity, depending upon the copier speed.
Take-Back
In both leasing and purchase
agreements for copiers, take-back clauses can be simple statements
to the effect that the vendor agrees to take back the copier at the
end of its useful life, or at a specified date or usage limit (e.g.,
a specified number of images). At a minimum, the clause should
require the vendor to certify that any components not reused are
processed to remove and recycle lead-bearing circuit boards and any
selenium drums. You may also want to include language that
encourages recycling of metal and plastic components.
If prospective vendors are unaware of options for recovery and processing, you may direct them to the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance or to county solid or hazardous waste offices (see Appendix C) for referrals to businesses in Minnesota and the surrounding area that perform these services. Learning about available options may help them to agree to take-back clauses in your agreement or contract.
Many contracts are in place for copier equipment rental. Renting copiers means you do not have to make arrangements for disposal or recycling. Many of the models available through these contracts meet Energy Star® requirements for energy efficiency; be sure to check whether the model you are interested in complies. These contracts also require the vendor to arrange for proper management of empty toner, ink, fuser, and developer containers.
See Cooperative Purchasing Venture for information on accessing these contracts.
- C-649 (5) Copier Rental Contract, Pitney Bowes
- C-650 (5) Copier Rental
Contract,
IKON Office Solutions
(Canon, Savin, Minolta) - C-651 (5) Copier Rental Contract, Panasonic
- C-652 (5) Copier Rental Contract, Konica
- C-653 (5) Copier Rental Contract,
Metro Sales
(Ricoh) - C-654 (5) Copier Rental Contract, Minolta
- C-655 (5) Copier Rental Contract, Mita CopyStar
- C-656 (5) Copier Rental Contract, Savin
- C-657 (5) Copier Rental Contract, Sharp
- C-658 (5) Copier Rental Contract,
Stringer
(Lanier) - C-659 (5) Copier Rental Contract,
Wagers
(Toshiba) - C-660 (5) Copier Rental Contract, Xerox
U.S. Communities Program
Beginning
in fall 2002, U.S. Communities will have several contracts in place
for copiers with Energy Star® compliant features. Counties, cities
and schools may join the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing
Alliance to access these contracts. See Cooperative
Purchasing - U.S. Communities for information on this
program, or visit the U.S.
Communities web site.
For updated lists of Energy Star® compliant copiers, visit the Energy Star® web site at www.energystar.gov.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality
is a recent concern for office
workers. Certain office machines can emit ozone, a component of
indoor air pollution. High quantities of ozone can irritate the
human respiratory system.
Most copiers are equipped with ozone filters. Importantly, these filters require regular maintenance to be effective in reducing ozone build-up in offices.
One source of ozone in copiers is electrically charged corona wires used in the imaging system. In order to eliminate this source, certain low-output copiers are equipped with charged rollers instead of corona wires.
"How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Copier"
Energy
Star
"Office Equipment:
Design, Indoor Air Emissions, and Pollution Prevention
Opportunities"
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
March 1995
Give your old copier a new life. Choose models that have been designed for easy disassembly and remanufacturing.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, 4/00. The SWMCB includes members from the Minnesota metropolitan counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington, with ex-officio members from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Last Revised April 12, 2008 - 9:58pm