Redefining Sustainable Printing

Aug. 1, 2025

ASU and Canon’s commitment to a carbon-neutral future

Driving innovation and sustainability through strategic partnerships

Printing causes significant environmental impacts, from deforestation and carbon emissions to chemical pollution and e-waste. In 2008, ASU partnered with Canon to mitigate those impacts in its print services.

Canon has worked with ASU to reduce its environmental impacts and support sustainability initiatives across the Sun Devil community.

Sustainability is a top priority for Canon. The company set rigorous carbon emission goals independently verified by the Science-Based Target initiative. Canon’s environmental philosophy and commitment align perfectly with ASU’s mission and support the university’s long-term success in sustainability, innovation and social impact.

Canon uses print services and philanthropy to help universities reduce energy and waste beyond ink and paper. In summer 2022, with funding from Canon, ASU purchased and installed low-flow showerheads in three of ASU’s residential communities on the Tempe and West Valley campuses, saving an estimated 763,000 gallons of water per year. Since 2017, Canon’s Higher Education Advisory Team has helped ASU achieve these sustainable milestones: 

• Avoid 3,306 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions 
• Reduce the number of printers by nearly 32%
• Switch 100% of printers to Energy Star-Certified, multi-function devices 

ASU’s latest fleet of multi-function print devices marks a major sustainability upgrade, with models like the Canon IRA DX 8986I and imageFORCE C7165 using less than one watt in sleep mode, down from 3–5 watts in earlier versions.

Canon has also incorporated recycled materials into its product design, such as electric furnace steel sheets, made from scrap metal that reuses steel from decommissioned devices. Canon’s devices include other sustainability features like default duplex printing and 100% recycled paper. Read more about Canon printers’ specific sustainability features.

ASU is working with Canon to expand the Print Anywhere Program, where print jobs are sent to printers in the queue but are not printed until the sender goes to the machine to release it to print. 

“This initiative will continue to reduce paper waste and allow for more secure printing to a central location,” said Jan Holland-Malcom, assistant director of strategic partnerships, Auxiliary Business Services.

Departments can request a free printing assessment with Canon to boost these sustainable and cost-saving efforts: 

• Assess printing uses to incorporate upgrades and processes that reduce environmental impacts and increase efficiency.
• Identify potential print savings.
• Reduce security risks associated with printing.

New models include better sustainability and improved security features that help avoid unauthorized access, data breaches and more. Departments considering replacing a copier or printer should contact ASU’s Supply Chain Sourcing Team for more information. 

Certified sustainable paper is a key component of responsible printing and requires shared responsibility across campus. ASU departments can reduce environmental impact by aligning purchases with ASU’s Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines.

Departments should order standard copier paper through the Materials Management catalog in Workday. The guidelines prioritize paper with 90–100% post-consumer content, agricultural residue or one of these certifications:

• Forest Stewardship Council
• Green Seal
• Scientific Certification Systems — Recycled Claim Certification
• UL — ECOLOGO or Recycle Claim Certification

These certifications promote sustainable forest management, protect ecosystems and minimize harmful chemical use. Choosing paper that meets these standards helps ASU lower its environmental footprint from printing.

Departments looking to retire old ASU-owned devices should submit a transfer request to ASU Surplus Property. This allows the university to resell old devices to the community at discounted rates. Contact Canon for pickup and recycling of rented devices.

ASU collects used toner cartridges for recycling. Departments can leave cartridges in their outbound mail area, where the mail service team will pick them up. The cartridges are then boxed at the Alameda Warehouse and sent for recycling.

These practices reflect ASU’s longstanding partnership with Canon, grounded in shared values, innovation and a bold vision for a carbon-neutral future. ASU and Canon are minimizing environmental impact and redefining what sustainable printing can look like at universities.

Visit the Print at ASU webpage to learn more. 

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series about sustainable purchasing at ASU. Topics include sustainable purchasing best practices, notable suppliers and resources.