Eco-labels for printers and copiers in Europe

Examples of existing eco-labels in Europe (not exhaustive)

Name	Website	Language
Blaue Engel	Several products: Printers, RAL-UZ 85 Multifunctional devices RAL-UZ-114 Copiers, RAL-UZ 62 Recycled toner modules RAL-UZ-55 Returnable and Recycable Cassettes/Cartridges RAL-UZ-86	German and English
Nordic Swan	Copying Machines, Printers, Fax Machines and Multifunctional Devices http://www.svanen.nu/Eng/criteria/kriterie.asp?pgn=48	English and Swedish
TCO	Copiers, printers http://www.tcodevelopment.com	English, German and Swedish
AENOR	Photocopiers http://www.aenor.es	Spanish and English
NF-Environment	Cartridge for laser printers http://www.marque-nf.com	French
Hungarian Label	Black and white digital copying machines http://www.kornyezetbarat-termek.hu	Hungarian
Dutch eco-label (Stichting Milieukeur)	www.milieukeur.nl > criteria > toner cartridges	Dutch
Umweltzeichen	Austrian eco-label for copying equipment www.umweltzeichen.at	German
Czech eco-label	http://www.ekoznacka.cz/	Czech

Green Printing

You can print green and keep the "green" attitude while accomplishing your printing needs. In addition to using sustainable printing materials, as well as keeping the green attitude alive while commercial printing, it takes a lot of effort on your part and your printer's as well to have an eco-friendly printing process. But it is also worth it when you see that it is not only more affordable sometimes, but you also add to the sustainability of our planet for the sake of our children.

Being green is also one way to market effectively to your target clients. You can make them interested in your business when they see that you are involved in helping the environment become more sustainable. By promoting the "green revolution" in your printing practices, many of your target clients will most certainly respect you for it and even be encouraged to help you cause by buying your eco-friendly products.

So here are simple and easy ways to help you print green.

1. Go for recycled paper.
2. Look for papers made from sustainably harvested fiber.
3. Choose a printer that is also eco-friendly.
4. Use vegetable inks.
   Check if your printer can apply inks that are soy based. By using vegetable inks in your print materials, you avoid damaging the environment with petroleum-based inks that are often traditionally used in most standard printing projects.

Sustainable industry - toner and ink cartridges

Printing, copying and faxing are common activities in the office environment. A major consumable from this activity is toner or ink cartridges. This has environmental implications for resource efficiency, toxic materials and waste generation.

Users of toner and ink cartridges who wish to help reduce these impacts can choose to take the actions recommended below.

1. Refer to ecolabels

Prefer products with a third-party audited life cycle ecolabel, or can show that they meet similar criteria. Choosing life cycle ecolabelled products ensures toxic components in toner and other ingredients is minimised.

2. Buy recycled

Prefer remanufactured cartridges with a performance guarantee, or new cartridges containing post-consumer recycled content.

3. Reduce your demand for printing by, for example:

* using electronic versions instead of paper copies
* setting fonts and margins to improve the efficiency of printing.

4. Reduce waste to landfill

Send your used toner cartridges to a recycling programme. (Take-back systems are offered through the major office supply companies as well as some office equipment suppliers.)

5. Prefer packaging which has recycled content and is recyclable.