ICT

FACT Switching off the monitor over lunch and when at meetings can half energy consumption.
FACT Electricity used by office equipment costs more than the equipment itself!
FACT Printer ink costs more than space shuttle fuel. Think before you print!
FACT Switching off your computer overnight and at weekends results in energy and cost savings of 70 - 80%.
FACT More than 30 million inkjet cartridges are dumped each year in the USA alone.
FACT If you throw your printer cartridge in the bin it will take 1,000 years to decompose. Recycle where possible.

Computers

Switch off at night and weekends and when away from desk for longer periods.

This cuts running costs by 75%.  For every three computers and monitors not switched off you could be using an extra £130 a year in energy.

Turn the monitor off too!!

Many people forget to switch this off as well as the computer.  The monitor can be switched off when not being used e.g. at lunchtime.  By doing this and using standby options energy consumption can be cut by 90% a year per machine.

Photocopiers

Switch it off at night

Leaving a copier on at night uses enough energy to print over 5000 A4 copies each time.

Locate your copier wisely

Try to put it in a naturally ventilated area – this will avoid air conditioning having to work hard to compensate for the heat from the machine.

Health and safety states that photocopiers should not be closer than 3 metres to anyone’s desk.

Training

All staff should receive a refresher training course in photocopier use if the machine is updated/replaced.  It is not only the admin staff who use the machines!!

Use identity codes

To ensure appropriate use of the copier staff could be given a code number.  Excessive use can then be noted to a particular group or person.

Photocopy only what you really need

Limit the amount of copying you do.  If multiple copies are needed for a meeting try using alternative technology instead in the meeting room e.g. overhead projection facilities for the meeting papers onto a whiteboard. 

Only copy double sided

Everything should be copied double sided unless a very good reason can be given.  This includes items for the public even if they are paying.

Do not use a colour copier for black and white copies

It is almost twice as expensive to use a colour copier for standard black copies than to use the normal copier.  If it is busy – wait.

Printers 

Switch off at night

Switching your printers off at night reduces their energy consumption by 75%.

Check the costs for consumables before buying

A machine which seems low maintenance and cheap may turn out to be very expensive in consumables e.g. wax block printers.

Limit the number of printers per office

Everyone does not need their own printer.   One at each end of large offices or one per floor cuts down on unnecessary printing, energy use and materials purchased.

Do you really have to print this copy?

Become used to not printing

• Check drafts on screen before printing
• Always use the spellchecker first
• E-mail drafts to admin staff and others if needed – do not print off

Do not print off emails unless a file copy is needed

Many e-mails are unnecessarily printed off and then binned.

Always print double sided

Set your printer to double sided default.  If in doubt as to how to do this follow the link Double Sided Printing. 

Use book style printing (2 pages to an A4 sheet) for long reports

This will half your print costs. 

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