Saline Area Schools: A Model for Sustainable Printing

In the quiet town of Saline, Michigan, a revolution is underway. The Saline Area Schools district has made a bold move, swapping out its fleet of laser printers for Epson inkjet printers. This shift is more than just a change in office equipment; it's a statement about the future of sustainability in education. The district's decision to embrace Epson's PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology is a testament to its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and saving on energy costs. But is this a trend that other schools should follow, or is it a risky gamble on unproven technology?

The switch to Epson inkjet printers is part of a broader trend in educational institutions investing in energy efficiency. According to the EPA, many K-12 schools have been able to reduce energy costs by as much as 30 percent in existing facilities through energy efficiency measures. Saline Area Schools is no exception. The district has reported significant energy savings since adopting Epson printers, which do not require preheating or fusing, unlike laser printers. This heat-free printing process results in significant energy savings and reduces the time required to print the first page. The district has printed over two million pages on the Epson MFPs over the course of four months, indicating a high volume of printing that would have incurred significant costs with laser printers.

But the benefits of Epson inkjet printers go beyond energy savings. The printers offer low consumable costs and high-capacity ink supplies, which reduce the frequency of ink replacements and printer downtime. The WF-C579R, for example, has a Replaceable Ink Pack System with Extra High-capacity packs that can deliver enough ink to print up to 50,000 ISO pages black/20,000 ISO pages color before changing the packs. This results in decreased printer downtime and lower consumable costs, which can result in significant long-term savings.



The switch to Epson inkjet printers is also a strategic move that aligns with the broader trends in energy efficiency and sustainability in educational institutions. The decision supports the district's sustainability goals, reduces energy costs, and enhances productivity, making it a model for other schools looking to implement similar changes. The district's decision to use Epson printers was driven by their environmental benefits, which is in line with the Center for Green Schools' emphasis on reducing environmental impacts and costs, which is one of the three pillars of successful green schools.

But the switch to Epson inkjet printers is not without its risks. The initial investment costs can be high, and the technology is still relatively new. However, the long-term benefits of energy savings and reduced consumable costs make it a worthwhile investment for schools looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy costs. The district has seen a reduction in energy costs and a decrease in printer downtime, which can result in significant long-term savings.

The switch to Epson inkjet printers is a bold move by Saline Area Schools, but it's one that other schools should consider. The benefits of energy savings, reduced consumable costs, and enhanced productivity make it a worthwhile investment for schools looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy costs. The district's decision to use Epson printers is a testament to its commitment to sustainability and a model for other schools looking to implement similar changes.

In conclusion, the switch to Epson inkjet printers by Saline Area Schools is a strategic move that aligns with the broader trends in energy efficiency and sustainability in educational institutions. The decision supports the district's sustainability goals, reduces energy costs, and enhances productivity, making it a model for other schools looking to implement similar changes. The long-term benefits of energy savings and reduced consumable costs make it a worthwhile investment for schools looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy costs. The district's decision to use Epson printers is a testament to its commitment to sustainability and a model for other schools looking to implement similar changes.