Canon’s Commitment to Sustainability in the Production Print Industry

In recent years, sustainability has become one of the most pressing concerns for industries worldwide, and the production print sector is no exception. As businesses and organizations strive to reduce their environmental impact, Canon aims to support eco-friendly and sustainable print production processes. Read on to learn the steps Canon is taking as a manufacturer of production printing equipment.

Canon’s Sustainable Manufacturing Practices

Canon’s sustainability journey starts with its manufacturing processes. Canon has implemented a variety of eco-friendly initiatives to help reduce its carbon footprint, conserve resources, and minimize waste. One of Canon’s key approaches to sustainability is its commitment to reducing energy consumption during the manufacturing process. Canon has invested in energy-efficient equipment and processes, utilizing renewable energy sources where feasible to help power its production facilities.

Furthermore, Canon’s production plants have embraced the principles of circular economy, aiming to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials. For example, Canon designs its products to be easily disassembled at the end of their life cycle, making it easier to recover valuable materials such as metals and plastics. This not only helps reduce the environmental impact of the products but also minimizes waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Canon’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing is also evident in its efforts to minimize water usage and promote recycling to help conserve water resources.

Energy-Efficient Products for Production Print

Canon’s sustainability efforts extend beyond its manufacturing processes to the products it develops and markets. One of the ways Canon supports sustainability in the production print industry is by designing energy-efficient devices that consume less power during operation compared to previous models. Canon’s production printers are designed to operate with minimal energy consumption without sacrificing performance, speed, or quality.

For instance, Canon’s production presses are equipped with energy-saving features like low-energy standby modes and automatic power-down modes. These innovations help reduce the overall energy consumption of the devices to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce operational costs for businesses.

Canon also works to integrate advanced technology into its printers to optimize print quality while minimizing waste. Canon’s devices employ high-precision imaging technology, which also helps reduce paper wastage by helping to ensure print jobs are of the highest possible quality to minimize the need for reprints due to errors or imperfections. The ColorStream even utilizes a print-on-ramp process to help minimize waste without sacrificing quality while the press comes up to full speed.

Sustainability in Print Materials

Paper, as one of the most widely used materials in production printing, is a major focus of Canon’s sustainability efforts. Canon recognizes the importance of responsible paper sourcing and strives to reduce the environmental impact of paper production, consumption, and disposal.

Canon actively promotes the use of sustainably sourced paper by working with certified paper suppliers who adhere to environmental standards such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Additionally, Canon proactively works with paper mills and paper manufacturers to ensure a variety of recycled paper is tested and qualified for its production presses.

Eco-Friendly Ink and Toner Solutions

Traditional ink and toner cartridges can contribute to environmental waste due to their single-use nature. Canon has also made significant strides in making its ink and toner solutions more eco-friendly by helping to reduce waste with reusable toner cartridges.

Furthermore, Canon has been investing in the development of water-based inks, which have a lower environmental impact compared to traditional oil-based inks.¹ Water-based inks break down naturally over time and have lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, which helps reduce the contribution to air, making them a safer option for the environment and for users. This technology is particularly relevant for customers who are looking for more sustainable solutions in high-volume production environments, such as in the commercial printing and publishing sectors.

Canon’s Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility

Canon’s sustainability efforts extend beyond its products and manufacturing processes to include its broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Canon recognizes the importance of contributing to society and supporting environmental conservation efforts around the world. Canon’s CSR programs focus on a range of issues, including climate change, biodiversity, and resource conservation. One of these programs—called the Canon Eco Start Program—works with Trees for the Future to plant trees in sub-Saharan Africa to help offset carbon emissions from its production presses.

In 2008, Canon set an ambitious goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain by 30% by 2030, relative to its 2008 levels, which it is on track to achieve. Canon aims to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This commitment underscores Canon’s dedication to addressing climate change and reducing its overall environmental impact. You can read more about Canon’s commitment to sustainability in the Sustainability Report 2024.

¹https://www.papercut.com/blog/insights/why-eco-friendly-ink-matters-when-it-comes-to-print-sustainability/