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Printer Manufacture, Is it Time to In(k)stigate a Change?
We all know the power of an incentive, whether it is stickers and house points at school, or vouchers and rewards from the supermarket.
And what greater incentive could we need to modify our business model than the future of the planet?
In recent years we have seen almost every manufacturer have to revise and rethink how they make and mass-produce their products. We are all much more aware of the environmental impact from all the “stuff” we own and use, and the need to move towards a more sustainable way of doing things.
Since 2005, the makers of inkjet printers — Epson blazing this particular trail — have started to move away from the traditional cartridge system to an ink tank system, a nod to the need to address the environmental impact of ink cartridges and toners, and to the financial cost for the consumer.
If you take a look at the websites of the market leaders of inkjet printer manufacturers – Epson, HP, Canon and Brother – you will see plenty about their existing efforts for sustainability, and their schemes for recycling used ink cartridges, etc. A fabulous start.
What could be the incentive for taking things one step further, for inspiring the move to revolutionising the sustainability of inkjet printers?
As it stands, there are several major obstacles standing in the way of the green credentials of inkjets.
The cost of genuine ink
The current cost of genuine ink for inkjet printers is extremely high. It can be an out-of-reach cost for many families and small businesses. This can then lead to the purchase of cheaper online inks. Some of these are “ok”, as in you might just about get away with it. More often than not, however, these inks are guilty of wrecking the printhead and consequently consigning the entire printer to the scrap heap.
The lack of parts and repair options
Alongside the issue of the clogged printer head, the other major issue is the service station or pump cap assembly.
Despite the printer cleaning itself after a certain number of pages, eventually either the ink pad or ink wells will fill up, and the excess ink causes the printer to be rendered unusable.
If replacement parts were more readily available, and repairs to these reasonably straightforward issues (including the relevant codes needed to reset after the repair) were more cost-effective and feasible, this would have a significant impact on the number of printers being needlessly scrapped.
It is often the case that the parts needed to repair these issues are not available to purchase or, if they are, they cost more than a new printer! In the current financial climate, even the most green-thinking customer would be tempted to opt for the cheapest solution.
Providing reasonably-priced parts and repair options (or collaborating with local printer repair companies) would be a huge benefit to the environment.
Going forward we need to stop thinking of (and manufacturing) printers as a “throwaway item”, with a limited shelf life.
Take the example of Patagonia Outdoor Clothing. They have a fabulous attitude to the care and repair of their products, stating “Let’s get old together. Because keeping good gear going, and out of landfills, is awesome!”
Their ethos acknowledges that they may not sell as many sleeping bags, rainwear or whatever at the outset, but they are happy in the knowledge that they are becoming known as the “go-to” store for sustainable, ethical products which last, and that “give back” is well worthwhile. The product is built to last, not to be throwaway.
Whilst obviously companies need to make money, is it time to take the plunge – printer manufacturers – and acknowledge that as a business you are willing to take a hit for the sake of the planet?
This change to the business model may present itself as a loss leader in the short term, with the greater reward a commitment to the planet.
To be a market leader in the bid to reducing landfill, to actively champion the Repair > Refurbish > Recycle ethos, and to be the catalyst for the industry as a whole to make a shift for the better, may well pay huge dividends.
Printer manufacturers of the world I urge you to be brave and make a change! Take the lead and be the influence — we will all thank you for it!
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