Sustainability isn’t a slogan—it’s a set of everyday habits. This term, consider a few practical changes that reduce waste, cut cost, and model responsible stewardship for students.

“Sustainability grows when schools make the best choice the easiest choice.”
Five smart print habits
- Default duplex + B&W: Make it easy to do the right thing.
- Right‑sized runs: Print small batches more often to avoid cupboards full of obsolete materials.
- Lightweight design: Remove large colour blocks and heavy fills; choose fonts and layouts that are toner‑friendly.
- Secure release: Prevent the “print and forget” pile of uncollected pages.
- Usage dashboards: Share monthly highlights with staff to celebrate reductions and set a target for the next month.
Autumn sustainability sprint (4 weeks)
- Week 1: Set duplex B&W defaults and secure release.
- Week 2: Clean up print queues; archive old templates; launch new eco‑templates.
- Week 3: Staffroom spotlight—share “best print hacks” and a friendly competition.
- Week 4: Publish results; recognise teams; set a realistic next‑term target.
Beyond the printer
There is a broader sustainability picture to consider. It begins with responsible procurement—choosing compatible sustainably sourced paper and using quality Toshiba consumables that go the distance. Energy‑smart settings also play a role; simple changes such as scheduling sleep modes and ensuring devices automatically power down after hours help schools reduce their footprint without any added effort.
Recycling becomes far easier when it happens at the point of use, with clearly labelled bins near devices for toner cartridges and paper offcuts. And for staff and event access, durable rewritable cards offer a practical, reusable alternative to single‑use credentials. Together, these small, thoughtful choices build a culture of sustainability that feels achievable for every school.
How Toshiba helps
- Eco modes and toner‑save options set at the fleet level.
- Print policies and quotas to guide behaviour without heavy policing.
- Analytics reports to identify quick wins (e.g., high‑volume colour spikes).
- Recycle programs for consumables, with simple school‑friendly return processes.
- Electronic Archiving systems such as e-ARC to create important back-ups of sensitive student information
- CarbonZero and PrintReleaf schemes Join our micro-cost reforestation programs available both in Australia and abroad.