Epson to end sales of laser printers in the drive for sustainability
Epson globally will end its sale and distribution of laser printers by 2025, citing the technology’s limited ability to make meaningful advances in sustainability. The news comes a year after Epson announced its EUR 770 million investment into sustainable innovation and coincides with the launch of its new range of business inkjet printers.
According to new research with regional decision-makers commissioned by Epson and conducted online by Coleman Parkes has shown that nearly two thirds (58 percent) of UAE corporate respondents want to reduce energy costs, and 72 percent say they’re concerned about the energy use of printers given the increases in energy costs.
The research was conducted among 5,650 IT decision-makers, users and influencers of IT and technology peripherals between April and June 2022 with a focus on education, healthcare and the public sector.
More than half (56 percent) of the UAE respondents say inkjet printers will help them meet their cost reduction goals while more than two thirds (69 percent) say they want a better understanding of energy savings that could be made by changing the type of printers in use.
While sustainability was a key focus in Epson’s regional research, outcomes also detailed changing technology usage trends and challenges in some of the region’s fastest-growing sectors such as education and healthcare, alongside the public sector.
Education sector
Across survey respondents working in the education sector in the UAE, the majority of education workers say it’s essential that teachers have access to a printer, and 52 percent said students will need more access to print technology in 2022. While 61 percent of teachers use printers in the classroom, 43 percent of the education workers surveyed said print volumes have changed in 2022 compared to the previous year, and having the right technology is imperative for students and teachers to maximise the benefits that technology can offer and advance the way in which students can learn. 43 percent are seeing an increased need of investing in new technology over the next three years to ensure accessibility of material for all students.
Healthcare sector
90 percent of healthcare organisations want to get a better understanding of the energy savings that could be made by changing the type of printers in use, with 60 percent want to learn about the CO2 savings that could be made within the printer fleet.
Public sector
The UAE’s public sector is committed to sustainability, and as an example, reducing the energy consumption of current printer technology was cited as a key concern by 50 percent of respondents. 80 percent of public sector decision-makers report that their organisation is looking to invest in new technology over the next 12 months with 73 percent keen to understand the energy consumption savings that could be made by changing the way the print fleet is managed.
With 87 percent of UAE respondents saying it’s important to undertake a review of how to reduce energy costs across their organisation, Jason McMillan, Sales Director, Epson Middle East added, “In the context of spiralling energy costs, it’s vital that organisations take advantage of every opportunity to reduce expenditure. Organisations need to move faster in adopting energy-efficient technology. Cutting energy use will also dramatically reduce the volume of CO2 emissions produced, helping to address concerns around sustainability.”
