As we celebrate Earth Day today, the quandary for businesses is coming up with new or alternative ways to reduce their carbon footprint. By developing the first multifunction product (MFP) with erasable toner, the e-STUDIO306LP/RD30, Toshiba is making it easier for these organizations to address their eco objectives while setting an example for their employees and customers.

By allowing for the reuse of the multiple use of the same sheet, the e-STUDIO306LP/RD30 – or eco MFP as we refer to it at the company – enables users to dramatically minimize paper usage while lessening carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 57 percent, as validated by the British Standards Institute, a global national standards organization. To further minimize an organization’s carbon footprint, the eco MFP integrates bio-based plastics – which produce 20 percent less CO2 emissions during production compared to traditional petroleum-based versions.

To alert users that a page’s output is erasable and ready for reuse, the eco MFP features a distinctive blue toner. Reusable paper – which has been erased – is returned to the unit’s upper drawer while output that is unable to be fully erased is sent to the e-STUDIORD30’s – the eraser unit’s – bottom drawer for recycling.

With the massive amount of paper consumed by businesses – 10,000 sheets for every employee according to the Environmental Leader – a trade publication informing corporate executives about energy, environmental and sustainability news – much of it no longer has to fill open land. As a result of reducing this staggering amount of output, businesses may operate in a definitively more sustainable manner.

While reusing and recycling paper may not quite have the same appeal as driving a Tesla, its impact on the earth is substantial.

By Bill Melo, Vice President, Marketing, Services and Solutions, Toshiba America Business Solutions