Sustainable Printing

I’ve been meaning to post on Sustainable Printing about the new ColorCube technology that Xerox released earlier this month.  This is a new solid ink system in which sticks of ink (think large crayons) are used instead of wet ink or dry toner in color printers.  Because there are no cartridges to recycled (or worse, trash!) when the ink runs out, the Color Cube could be a more environmentally-friendly option for offices that produce between 15,000 and 30,000 color prints a month.

I read an article titled “Xerox keeps up R&D, risks cannibalization” that raised some interesting points about the ColorCube.  Basically, with the introduction of this new technology, it is likely that the ColorCube will replace many existing Xerox color printers already in offices.  I’m sure these new printers will do their fair share of replacing other brands like HP and Canon as well, but is Xerox taking a risk here?

According to the article, Xerox President Ursula Brown says, “The best way to grow our business sometimes is to cannibalize our own, or to cannibalize a technology… It’s a beautiful problem to have. I lose no sleep being in this situation.”

I have to say I am impressed by this line of thinking from a corporation as large as Xerox.  It takes a lot confidence, but also humility to admit that evolving as a company sometimes means out with the old and in with the new and possibly taking a shot to the foot.

I applaud Xerox’s efforts to advance a technology that has more eco-friendly features than some of its other printers.  While the ColorCube is still new and has some kinks to get worked out, I am looking forward to seeing where Xerox takes this solid ink technology.

Photo Credit: Flickr user swanksalot

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