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It’s safe to say that climate change is no longer a distant problem, but a threat that’s currently breathing down our necks. From disrupted supply chains caused by extreme weather to soaring energy costs and increasingly selective customers, the impact on businesses is undeniable.
In fact, the Natural Marketing Institute found that 58% of U.S. consumers consider a company’s environmental footprint before making a purchase. If a company wants to attract and retain these customers, sustainability needs to be more than just talk and be part of its everyday operations.
Here’s where our expertise comes in. At STPT, we’ve spent decades helping organizations rethink their print environments not only to save money, but also to reduce their environmental impact.
As an authorized Xerox partner, we’ve seen firsthand how Xerox has been at the forefront of sustainable printing for decades. They’ve gone from pioneering two-sided printing before it was standard to setting an ambitious target of net-zero emissions by 2040. Xerox designs “green” into their products, services, and entire business model.
In this article, you’ll discover six real, measurable ways Xerox is helping combat climate change. We’ll also explain how these innovations can help your business run more efficiently, cut costs, and meet your own environmental goals.
Need help making your office more sustainable? Check out our blog on 5 Steps to Sustainable Printing.
1. Lowering the Carbon Footprint
Xerox has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040, with an interim goal to cut Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 60% (from a 2016 baseline) by 2030. This commitment covers everything from manufacturing processes to the energy used by Xerox devices in offices around the world.
A big part of this is designing ENERGY STAR-qualified printers and multifunction devices that use less power in active and standby modes. Many Xerox printers also come with energy-saving defaults like sleep mode and automated shutdown.
Xerox also partners with organizations like PrintReleaf, which plants trees to offset paper usage. This helps customers directly link their printing to positive environmental impact.
According to Quocirca’s 2024 Sustainability Leaders report, Xerox is recognized as a “Leader” in sustainability for both its climate targets and progress toward a circular economy. It earned one of the highest scores in the industry for transparency and reporting.
2. Responsible Paper Sourcing & Use
Paper is still a big part of office life, but Xerox takes a responsible approach to sourcing and usage. The company offers recycled and tree-free paper options and designs printers with built-in features that make it easy to reduce consumption.
Examples of eco-friendly features include default duplex (double-sided) printing, multiple pages per sheet, and secure print release to avoid abandoned jobs.
For businesses that want deeper insights, Xerox’s Managed Print Services (MPS) and apps like the Print Awareness Tool give employees visibility into their printing habits, encouraging smarter use and reducing waste.
Pairing these tools with digital workflows like scanning documents to cloud storage can help you significantly cut paper usage without slowing down operations.
Learn about how solutions like Xerox DocuShare can help you reduce paper consumption here.
3. Cleaner Air & Water
Manufacturing printers and supplies can harm the environment if not handled properly. Xerox has made strong efforts to eliminate harmful chemicals from its production processes, meeting or even exceeding strict environmental standards worldwide.
Their clean manufacturing approach includes:
- Strict emissions controls in production facilities
- Eliminating persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic substances
- Designing processes that conserve water and minimize wastewater pollutants
This commitment ensures that Xerox products not only meet high environmental safety standards but also actively protect our planet and the people who use their devices.
4. Designing Waste-Free Products
Xerox embraces a circular economy model. It designs products to be remanufactured, reused, or recycled rather than discarded. This approach helps reduce demand for raw materials and keeps waste out of landfills.
The Xerox Green World Alliance supplies recycling program has kept over 145 million pounds of waste out of landfills by collecting and recycling toner cartridges and other consumables at no cost to customers.
Plus, many Xerox devices are EPEAT-registered and Blue Angel-certified. This means they meet some of the world’s strictest environmental performance standards.
5. Smarter Chemical Management
From toner formulation to the suppliers they work with, Xerox applies stringent chemical management standards across its entire supply chain. These standards require:
- Minimizing or eliminating hazardous materials in design
- Ensuring suppliers follow strict environmental regulations
- Evaluating every chemical used for potential health and environmental impact
By taking proactive steps, Xerox makes its devices safer for workplaces while also reducing harm to the environment.
6. Prioritizing Health & Safety
Xerox is dedicated to sustainability, and this commitment goes hand in hand with its focus on health and safety. Here's what they prioritize:
- Safe toner technology researched and refined over decades
- Devices designed for low emissions in office environments
- Manufacturing facilities certified to ISO 14001 environmental management standards
A great example of this effort is Xerox’s Emulsion Aggregation (EA) toner. Unlike conventional toners, EA toner is made via a chemical process that uses less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases. It produces smaller, more uniform particles, reducing the amount of toner needed for high-quality prints and helping customers use fewer consumables.
By prioritizing the well-being of employees, customers, and communities, Xerox builds sustainability into every stage of a product’s lifecycle.
Recognition & Awards for Sustainability
Xerox’s leadership in sustainability isn’t just self-proclaimed, it’s widely recognized. Some recent accolades include:
- Corporate Knights – World’s 100 Most Sustainable Corporations
- Wall Street Journal – Top 20 Most Sustainably Managed Companies
- CDP Climate Change A - rating
- Energy Star Partner of the Year
Quocirca’s 2024 report also highlights Xerox’s clear plan for sustainability and how it is integrated in its overall business strategy. This is something not all manufacturers achieve.
Why This Matters for Your Business
Choosing an eco-conscious technology partner is not only ethically sound but also a smart business move. Xerox’s innovations help businesses:
- Lower energy and paper costs
- Improve compliance with sustainability mandates
- Strengthen brand reputation with eco-conscious customers
- Simplify reporting for ESG initiatives
When you choose STPT as your Xerox vendor, you’re not just getting a printer. You're also gaining a partner who can help you set up, maintain, and optimize your devices for maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact.
Check out: 5 Signs You Are an Ideal Customer for STPT
Take the Next Step Toward a Greener Office
Whether you’re upgrading your print fleet or starting a new sustainability initiative, we can help you find the Xerox devices that fit your needs and budget. Click the link below to fill out our Request a Quote form so we can begin matching you with exactly what you’re looking for, while supporting your environmental goals.
