Sustainability can be easy to talk about.
The harder part is turning good intentions into something measurable.
For businesses that still rely on printing every day, there is an unavoidable reality. Paper has an environmental impact. Going completely paperless is neither realistic nor practical for many organisations, but that does not mean we should simply accept that impact and move on.
At oeDigital, we believe the better question is: what can we actually do about it?
That is why we have partnered with PrintReleaf, a platform designed to measure the environmental impact associated with paper consumption and turn that data into positive environmental action through certified reforestation and carbon offset projects.
Sustainability That Can Actually Be Measured
One of the things we like most about the PrintReleaf approach is that it starts with data.
Through integration with managed print services and fleet monitoring software, paper consumption can be measured. PrintReleaf then uses that information to calculate the associated forest impact and carbon footprint.
From there, the platform connects that impact with certified reforestation projects and verified carbon offsets.
That matters because sustainability should be more than a statement on a website.
If we are going to talk about environmental responsibility, we want to be able to measure what is happening and take meaningful action in response.
Turning Paper Consumption Into Reforestation
Paper is an important resource for businesses, schools, healthcare providers, legal practices and countless other organisations.
PrintReleaf provides a way to connect that paper consumption with reforestation.
Its methodology calculates the forest impact associated with printing, with the platform using a standard calculation of 8,333 sheets of standard A4 paper as the equivalent of one standard tree. Reforestation projects and their corresponding offsets are audited and verified by third-party organisations.
Through managed print integration, trees can then be planted in certified global reforestation projects based on the measured paper consumption.
It creates a simple connection between what happens in the office and environmental action happening elsewhere in the world.
You print. The impact is measured. Action is taken.
Looking Beyond Trees
There is another important part of the story.
Sustainability in printing is not only about the trees used to produce paper.
Producing paper also creates greenhouse gas emissions. PrintReleaf therefore provides a mechanism for calculating the carbon footprint associated with paper consumption and using verified carbon offsets to address those emissions.
According to PrintReleaf’s methodology, 117,647 sheets of standard A4 paper equate to one metric tonne of CO2e under its standard calculation. The carbon credits used by the platform are certified through recognised standards including Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard or the American Carbon Registry.
This broader approach is important to us at oeDigital.
Environmental responsibility should look at the bigger picture.
Why This Matters to oeDigital
We have spoken before about why we choose to work with manufacturers and technology partners that take ESG seriously.
For us, sustainability is not one initiative.
It is looking at energy consumption. It is reducing waste. It is choosing more efficient technology. It is thinking about water use, carbon emissions and the lifecycle of the products we recommend.
And it is thinking about paper.
Our partnership with PrintReleaf is another step in that commitment.
We know our customers need to print. Our job is not to make businesses feel guilty about that. Our job is to help them print smarter, reduce unnecessary printing and find practical ways to address the environmental impact of the printing that still needs to happen.
Giving Businesses Visibility Into Their Impact
Perhaps one of the most valuable parts of the PrintReleaf platform is the visibility it provides.
Businesses can access a sustainability dashboard where they can track their impact, view offsets, select certified projects and access impact certificates. PrintReleaf also provides resources to support CSR and ESG reporting.
That means sustainability becomes something organisations can see and communicate rather than something they simply hope is happening.
For businesses with ESG commitments, sustainability reporting requirements or their own environmental targets, having measurable information can make a real difference.
It also gives teams something tangible to work towards.
Sustainability Should Be Part of Your Print Strategy
A sustainable print strategy is not about telling everyone to stop printing.
It is about being smarter about how you print.
That means using efficient devices. It means understanding how much you are printing. It means reducing unnecessary waste. It means choosing technology and suppliers that take environmental responsibility seriously.
And now, through our partnership with PrintReleaf, it can also mean connecting your managed print environment with certified environmental initiatives.
That is a much more practical conversation than simply saying, “print less.”
Choosing Partners That Share Our Values
At oeDigital, we are deliberate about the organisations we partner with.
We want to work with businesses that are asking the same questions we are. How can technology become more sustainable? How can we reduce environmental impact? How can we measure progress rather than simply talk about it?
PrintReleaf’s approach is built around accountability, measurable impact, certified reforestation and verified carbon offsets. Its projects also align with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
That aligns strongly with the direction we believe the print industry needs to take.
Let’s Make Every Page Count
Printing is not disappearing tomorrow.
But the way we think about printing can change today.
Our partnership with PrintReleaf gives oeDigital and our customers another practical way to make sustainability part of everyday business operations.
If your organisation is reviewing its ESG strategy, managed print environment or simply looking for ways to make its printing more responsible, talk to us.
At oeDigital, we can help you understand your current print environment, reduce unnecessary consumption and explore smarter, more sustainable ways to manage the printing your organisation still needs.
Because if we’re going to print, we believe every page should count.
Talk to oeDigital about building a smarter, more sustainable print environment for your organisation.