A simple technology switch can help Saudi Arabia organizations

RIYADH – :

Recent research commissioned by Epson, highlights the growing importance of sustainability to both organizations and their employees across Saudi Arabia, following the positive environmental recovery seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Green credentials are a growing priority for the region. Sustainability is a pillar of the Saudi Vision 2030. In the survey results, Saudi Arabia leads EMEA, with 93% of respondents believing that environmental and social impact will become more important post-COVID-19. Youth are driving change; in the Middle East, 94% of Millennials now place a higher value on environmental and social issues.

As the region deals with the effects of COVID-19, the majority of employees in Saudi Arabia (89%) believe that the use of green technology will be important in improving the environmental and social impact of businesses. It is now up to organisations themselves to take sustainability into consideration when planning for the future to address the importance people are placing on protecting the environment.

“The temptation is to think about environmental ‘mega trends’ like solar panels and wind turbines, but it’s vital to also account for the contribution made by straightforward, easily-adopted green technology solutions,” said Jason McMillan, sales director, Epson Middle East.“COVID-19 has accelerated many trends, including the heightening of ecological consciousness and values. Businesses in Saudi Arabia and beyond must adapt to ensure they’re ready for the next wave of the sustainability revolution; this is the biggest opportunity for forward-thinking organizations, looking to make simple but high-impact changes.”

As businesses in Saudi Arabia begin to look at how they can reduce their own impact on the environment, it’s useful to remember that small steps can make a big impact. A simple technology switch, such as switching printing technology, can be a quick and straightforward step to saving energy, reducing waste and CO2 emissions, whilst also saving money.

If every business laser printer in Saudi Arabia was switched to an Epson business inkjet printer, there could be a saving of USD 1.5 million in electricity costs every year – money that companies could invest in their own additional sustainability initiatives.

Dr. Hisham Alghamdi, Dean of the Institute of Studies and Consulting Services, and Vice-Dean of Information and Telecommunications Deanship (CIO) at Najran University, says: “As part of an evaluation study that compared an Epson business inkjet printer to a competitor’s laser printer of the same class, I found that the laser printer can produce roughly 12.5 times more CO2 emissions, along with more waste, than the business inkjet printer over one year. On a test job of 70-100 pages per minute, the Epson business inkjet printer completed the performance on low power, whereas the laser printer needed much more electricity.”

He added: “When I was first presented with the comparison chart by Epson, I did not fully believe the results. But following the conclusion of my research, which I published at the US Sustainability Conference (SusTech), Epson’s statements are completely factual. Saudi Arabia and Middle East organizations have a compelling business case for switching from laser printers to Epson’s business inkjet printers.”

As a global technology leader, Epson’s Environmental Vision 2050 is setting new standards for corporate sustainability. Epson’s business inkjet printers, with their innovative and low-power Heat-free technology can deliver enhanced reliability, productivity, and sustainability. Organizations switching from laser printers to Epson’s business inkjet printers could save up to 95% on energy and CO2 emissions.