Toshiba launches world’s first eco-friendly MFP system that can erase images and text on the prints

Submitted by: The Two Sides Team April 28, 2014

Toshiba TEC announced the world’s first eco-friendly MFP system that can erase images and text on the prints with integrated scan-to-network function.

The e-STUDIO 306LP MFP combines with the e-STUDIO RD30 for removing the toner color from the printed documents. The instantly erasable toner is a special toner whose color is removed by passing the paper through the RD30 at high temperature.

If the same paper is used five times, this constitutes some 57% reduction in the system’s total COv(2) emissions.

The key features of the RD30 are its ability to sort paper into reusable and un-reusable sheets at the same time as removing the toner color, and to digitize the documents prior to erasing. Normally, documents that have been used, for example, at a meeting, are either filed away or scrapped, but with this system, there is no filing or destroying of paper documents, and the contents of the documents can be converted into data and saved for future use.

Based on the Toshiba strategy of ‘Differentiation in ECO-printing’ the company has always provided multifunction printers with enhanced environmental technology by reducing the MFP’s size and weight and smart energy efficiency improvements.

Yet a key cost-saving issue with a positive ‘green’ effect in every office today is “saving paper”. The e-STUDIO 306LP/RD30 re-usable paper solution opens a window to a new work style in the office environment by encouraging users to re-use paper through the new system.

Toshiba TEC new e-STUDIO 306LP/RD30 helps enterprises to adopt business strategies that contribute to sustainable development.

Environmental Technologies: Customer Benefits

1. The e-STUDIO 306LP/RD30 houses Intelligent Green MFP Technology with the built-in erasing system, allowing users to refill their paper tray five times with the same paper! This has a double advantage for the enterprise:

• paper cost is reduced to one-fifth of the current cost structure
• lower ecological footprint of every e-STUDIO 306LP/RD30 MFP improves the standing of the enterprise in CSR campaigns and is part of a sustainable future for all

2. Toshiba’s award-winning design team incorporated bio-based plastics into this innovative re-usable paper MFP. Bio-based plastics are made from raw materials extracted from plants, Bio-based plastics are environmentally friendly, producing approximately 20% less CO2 during its production when compared with petroleum-based plastics.

 The erasable toner was jointly developed with Pilot Corporation. The erasing speed is 30 A4-size sheets per minute using only the erasing function, or 15 A4-size sheets per minute using the erasing-scanning-sorting function. The number of times sheets can be reused varies depending on the usage environment.

The system was made available in Japan from February 2013 to be followed by a worldwide roll out.

Eco-friendly MFP (Multifunction Printer) system has verified the calculation method used to determine the amount of reduction in CO2 (Life Cycle Assessment: LCA) by BSI Group Japan. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method of assessing the environmental impact of a product or service from the time of production until disposal. BSI (British Standards Institution) is a global organization that equips businesses with the necessary solutions to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence. Formed in 1901, BSI was the world’s first National Standards Body and a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

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