Better Print, Better Planet: Sustainability in the Workplace and in Production Print

Check out Keypoint Intelligence’s Sustainability page!

If you want to change something, you first need to state the intention and then make it a habit, a positive routine. That’s exactly what it takes if you want to be a contributor to our planet’s health. In this series, we’ll explore sustainability and provide you with education, tactical or otherwise, that will enable you to make smart business decision around the green movement.

Every year on April 22, Earth Day reminds us of the role we all play in protecting the planet. For those of us who have anything to do with hardware, software, or supplies in the print industry, it’s also a chance to take stock of how things are changing. Truth is, Print has not always been viewed as environmentally friendly. Customers today pay more attention to where products come from and how they’re made. Big buyers are asking tougher questions about energy use, emissions, and end-of-life impact.

The good news? Our industry is stepping up.

Why Sustainability Is Now Part of the Job

What used to be a nice-to-have is quickly becoming a must. From equipment manufacturers to service providers, companies are rethinking how they build, sell, and support products. It’s not just about compliance anymore, either. Sustainability is turning into a competitive advantage—something that can win bids, keep customers loyal, and open new opportunities.

Whether it’s a school district, a large company, or a public agency, more buyers are making sustainability part of the decision process. If your products or services help them hit their own environmental goals, you’re instantly more valuable.

Where We’re Seeing Real Change

You don’t have to reinvent your business to make an impact. Many suppliers are already doing smart things that cut waste and reduce emissions:

• Longer-lasting equipment: Manufacturers are designing devices that are easier to refurbish, upgrade, and reuse. This is good for customers, good for margins, and great for reducing landfill waste.
• Energy efficiency: Some brands have ditched energy-heavy components entirely, switching to newer print technologies that use far less power.
• Better materials: There’s greater use of recycled plastics, FSC-certified papers, and toner cartridges with high levels of post-consumer content.
• Less packaging, less waste: Lighter, more efficient packaging is cutting shipping costs and environmental impact.
• Ecolabels that matter: ENERGY STAR, EPEAT, and Blue Angel aren’t just stickers—buyers look for them and, if your products have them, you’re already ahead.
• Smarter tools, cleaner operations: Tech is also making it easier to run a more sustainable business.

Technology is also making it easier to run a more sustainable business. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation tools are helping managed print services (MPS) providers as well as print service providers (PSPs)…

• Predict service issues before they happen
• Cut down on paper and toner waste
• Optimize print fleets for energy savings
• Track and report carbon footprints for customers

These are real value-adds if you offer MPS or workflow solutions, especially for clients that need to report on their own environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

Why It Pays to Go “Green”

Sustainability isn’t just about checking boxes anymore—it’s about staying competitive. Look around: More requests for proposal now include questions about carbon footprint, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. If you can speak confidently about your environmental practices (and back them up) then you’re already ahead of the game. But it’s not just about landing the deal; you also need to focus on:

• Lower operating costs (often due to more efficient machines and smarter logistics)
• Stronger customer relationships built on shared values and transparency
• Better long-term positioning, especially as regulations tighten and expectations grow

One vendor recently shared how a single shift—switching to smaller, lighter packaging—cut shipping costs and emissions. That change didn’t just look good on a sustainability report; it saved thousands of dollars and helped secure a major institutional client looking to reduce their scope 3 emissions.

Make Earth Day Count

Earth Day is more than a marketing opportunity—it’s a moment to reinforce what your business stands for. It’s also a great chance to start a conversation with customers who are trying to improve their own environmental impact. You don’t need to roll out a new initiative or write a whitepaper. A few simple actions go a long way:

• Highlight your most sustainable product lines or services
• Share a quick behind-the-scenes look at your recycling or take-back program
• Offer a free or discounted print assessment to help clients identify waste and savings

Even better? Share stories about how a customer reduced their print waste with your solution, or how your team cut packaging by 20%. Real examples resonate far more than stats alone.

Keypoint Intelligence Opinion

Earth Day has evolved from a feel-good moment to a serious call for innovation and accountability. The print industry is moving beyond its reputation for waste and inefficiency—that’s where the opportunity lies. Companies that lead with thoughtful design, smarter operations, and transparent communication are building loyalty, winning business, and future-proofing their place in the market.

This Earth Day don’t just check the box. Use it as a reason to start fresh conversations, show progress, and lay the groundwork for what’s next. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be moving in the right direction.

And your customers will notice.

Stay ahead in the ever-evolving print industry by browsing our Industry Reports page for the latest insights. Log in to the InfoCenter to view research on sustainability through our Workplace CompleteView and Production-based Advisory Services. Not a subscriber? Contact us for more information.