Despite the spread of the Internet and the growing use of digital documents, paper consumption in offices continues to grow.
The average U.S. employee uses 10,000 sheets a year, according to copier maker Xerox. So does this mean the paperless office, first envisioned 30 years ago, is still a distant dream?
The copier company hopes that 100 percent of its products will be Energy Star qualified in three years.
“I think that’s true,” says Debra Koehler, director of sustainability in the company’s solid-ink products group. This copy-and-print reality of today’s work place has put energy consumption in the cross hairs of a company trying to deliver ecological benefit to its printer and copier customers.
Xerox claims to be making progress. Lowering energy use is a higher priority than it was just six months ago and the aim is to have 100 percent of its products Energy Star qualified within three years. That would be up from 80 percent today.
Xerox appears to be more confident about hitting the target. Koehler says of the solid-ink unit, “I am confident we will deliver on these goals with our next generation of products,” scheduled to hit stores in two to three years. Improvements are being made not just with electronics, but with energy management software, controllers and insulation.
Energy use should be down by 80 percent in the next several years, she said.
Posted by Mark Boslet 
