Green credentials are a growing priority for the region, and sustainability is a pillar of the UAE Vision 2021 and KSA’s Vision 2030 as well as a significant focus at Expo 2020 Dubai.
“A few years ago, sustainability was on the periphery for businesses. Many saw it as something for the future but in recent years it’s become right at the center of what businesses are focusing on, not just in this region, but globally,” says Neil Colquhoun, vice president of CISMEA at Epson. “It’s not so much about the cost of doing it, now it’s more about the cost of not doing it,” he adds, explaining that businesses can both save money and be sustainable for the future.
In the global sustainability effort, energy is a big factor and heat-free printers are now considered one of the most effective and eco-friendly ways to reduce both costs and energy consumption.
“Epson’s Heat-free printing technology uses up to 83% less energy than laser printers, so it’s actually now about saving cost,” explains Colquhoun. According to the VP, the company’s main technology solutions also use up to 96% fewer consumables than laser printers. “This means fewer service interventions and fewer parts that need to be made, shipped, stored and replaced,” he explains. What’s more, in addition to using far fewer consumables, inkjet printers also produce printouts up to 50% faster from ready state than laser printers.
According to recent research, 89% of employees in the Middle East believe that the use of green technology will be important in improving the environmental and social impact of businesses. It is now up to organizations to ensure sustainability is considered when planning for the future and to address the importance people are placing on protecting the environment.
As businesses in the Middle East begin to look at how they can reduce their own impact on the environment, it’s useful to remember that small steps can make a big difference. A simple switch from laser printers to Epson business inkjet can be a quick and straightforward step to saving energy and reducing waste and CO2 emissions, while also saving money and time.
If every business laser printer in the UAE and Saudi Arabia were switched to an Epson business inkjet printer, there could be a combined saving of $3.6 million in electricity costs every year – money that companies could invest in their own additional sustainability initiatives.
“The temptation is to think about environmental ‘mega trends’ such as solar panels and wind turbines, which involve high levels of investment and commitment. This is not the only option for businesses looking to become more sustainable, both to help the environment and save themselves money,” says Colquhoun. “The contribution made by straightforward, easily adopted green technology solutions shouldn’t be overlooked,” he continues, “Businesses in the Middle East and beyond must adapt to ensure they’re ready for the next wave of the sustainability revolution; this is the biggest opportunity for forward-thinking organizations looking to make simple but high-impact changes.”
As a global technology leader, Epson’s Environmental Vision 2050 is setting new standards for corporate sustainability. In line with government visions such as the UAE’s Vision 2021 and KSA’s Vision 2030, Epson has committed to being carbon negative and underground resource free by 2050.
In a further sign of Epson’s commitment to sustainability, the company recently partnered with National Geographic to promote sustainable solutions through the Turn Down the Heat campaign. It is an important cause; research continues to show that the Arctic is melting twice as fast as before with Arctic lakes emitting five times more methane that previously thought.
Saving energy is not only a corporate mandate; individuals can make a positive impact with small changes, such as reducing the use of paper and other consumables and replacing sources of energy with renewable options. Every individual can make a difference. A simple switch in printing technology, both at home and at work, can really make an impact and evoke positive environmental change.
