OWU Printing, "Print Green"

Information Services is currently evaluating a number of options for network printing, copying, scanning, and faxing at OWU.  We have started discussions with a few departments to determine their interest level, printing requirements, and areas of concern.  This information will be used to develop the specific details of the initiative.  It should be noted that this is an optional program and will not be a fit for all types of printing.

A recent inventory of printing, copying, faxing, and scanning devices on the OWU campus totaled 431 devices.  Based on energy consumption guides for each model, we calculated the monthly energy consumption to be 13,973,613 watts.  That is the equivalent of powering 93 refrigerators each month!  If we were to replace all of these devices with 61 multi-function printers, our monthly usage would be reduced to 641,600 watts.  Certainly we do not anticipate full participation, as the program will not meet needs in all cases, but one can see how this program would be beneficial from a sustainability standpoint.


The goals of this initiative are as follows:

• Reduce energy consumption by installing more efficient devices that can be shared by many.
• Provide new features that may not currently be available, such as duplexing, scan to email and fileshare, and network faxing.
• Create awareness of ways to share documents without printing.
• Reduce the cost of toner and other consumables that departments are currently paying for out of operating budgets.

As we continue to gather data in the upcoming weeks, we will be submitting the details of our plan to the Campus Technology Council, the Sustainability Task Force, and other groups as appropriate for review and consideration.  We hope that each area will provide feedback so that we can put together a program that works for as many as possible.  We understand the importance of being able to print quickly, confidentially, and in a convenient manner to support the various academic and administrative needs at OWU.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Thank You,
Brian A. Rellinger
Executive Director of Information Services
Ohio Wesleyan University
740-368-3131
barellin@owu.edu