Office and WRAPP

Office equipment

An office wroker uses recycled content paper in a printer that uses a recyclable tooner cartridge.
See a full list and description of office materials covered by WRAPP

The manufacture, use and disposal of office equipment which uses paper can contribute to air emissions, water pollution, use of toxic materials and generation of hazardous and other wastes. Obsolete office equipment, computers and other electronic goods are an increasing part of the waste stream. European countries disposed of 6 million tonnes of electronic wastes (computers, televisions, videos etc.) in 1998 and have projected that this figure will double by 2010.

The NSW Government buys large quantities of office equipment. Annually the NSW Government agencies purchase on supply contracts about:

$100 million on personal computers
$30 million on photocopiers
$12.5 million on printers and consumables
$4.8 million on fax machines.

Machine consumables such as toner cartridges also need to be considered. An estimated 1.5 million toner cartridges are used in Australia each year, resulting in about 1,500 tonnes of plastic waste.

The NSW Government requires that all photocopiers purchased on State Procurement contracts are able to use recycled content paper. Recycled content paper can be used in most types of office equipment covered by the WRAPP (eg fax machines, printers etc) without causing problems.

Office equipment and consumables covered by the WRAPP include:

Computers
Monitors
Toner cartridges.

Buy

Look at the types of machines and consumables your organisation uses. Are they recycled or recyclable? When will they be replaced? Who supplies them?
Buying a networked multi function (combined printer, photocopier, fax and scanner) reduces the number of individual machines in the office – however be aware that their increased printing capacity can increase paper use.
Do some research. What types of suitable recyclable or remade machines are available? When replacing equipment ask potential suppliers if their machines take recycled cartridges. Understand differences between different types of recycled cartridges.
Avoid buying large and complex machines with lots of unnecessary functions – people will waste time and resources figuring out how to use them. Get something small, basic and robust.
Rent equipment you use only occasionally.
Change your equipment supply contract to require supply of remade machines or toner cartridges where possible.
Ask suppliers about available recycled cartridges for machines. Ask if they void any warranties or service agreements.
Find out if suppliers or other companies operate a take-back scheme for used machines or cartridges.
Order cartridges with minimal packaging. Order cartridges in bulk if possible or organise a centralised purchasing arrangement.

More about buying the WRAPP way >>

Use

Avoid using the fax - use e-mail instead.
Configure your fax so it doesn’t print unnecessary activity reports.
Long life cartridges with additional paper yield are available. Ask you supplier if they can be used in your office machines.
Don’t print e-mails or other documents unless you absolutely have to.
Set printers and photocopiers to double sided printing where this function is available.
Be careful if using multifunction machines. Reduce printing of graphics, pictures or images down loaded from the internet: additional page coverage will significantly reduce toner life.
Look after office equipment. Have machines regularly maintained and stick to maintenance schedules.
Ensure staff are properly trained and know how to use paper-saving functions of office equipment such as double sided printing and photocopying.
Consider having large print runs photocopied or professionally printed to avoid excessive wear and tear on machines.

More about using the WRAPP way >>

Recover

Find out what happens to obsolete or used machines at the end of their useful life. Can they be remade into new machines? Can recyclable components of machines (eg plastic panels) be stripped off and made into other products?
Donate obsolete but functioning machines to charities or sell them at auction.
Ensure toner cartridges are not put out with other office wastes – send them back to the supplier or manufacturer.
Many suppliers, manufacturers and charities run cartridge return programs. Ask you supplier if they offer this service. Some supply boxes to put used cartridges in or envelopes to mail them back.

More about recovering the WRAPP way >>

Remake

Investigate if machines can be rebuilt or refurbished by the manufacturer. Establish if the machine comes with a guarantee. This can be much cheaper than buying a new machine.

More about remaking the WRAPP way >>