Almost one week from now, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference will take place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas this June 23 until 26. This annual conference aims to provide useful and worthy technology intuitiveness through hundreds of sessions and learning environments which includes the participation of OKI Data Americas to demonstrate their company's newest printer equipment for education solutions. There will be several companies expected to present educational information, services and products. One of the events essential purposes is to let the attendees particularly teachers or educators to engage and learn from this conference, then eventually integrate into curricula what they acquired.

In their booth specifically for OKI #6287, the company will be demonstrating modern printer products and solutions which include the following:

• C831­­­­ - a tabloid/A3 color printer that combines a powerful feature set with fast print speeds and banner printing capabilities in a compact device that is ideal for demanding small workgroups.

• MC562w - a small workgroup color MFP that offers large paper capacity, fast print speeds, duplex printing and copying, wireless capability, and high definition color technology.

• C711WT - a desktop A4 digital color printer featuring white toner in a CMYW four-color configuration that delivers sharp, white output that brings high-quality printing capabilities in-house.

• MC770 - a mid-workgroup A4 color MFP that combines high-speed output, high print quality, enhanced feature sets, and OKI's smart Extendable Platform that supports an expanding suite of OKI solutions and meets demands of busy work environments.

• Remark Test Grading Solution - a streamlined and efficient test grading solution that can scan, process, score bubble chart tests and run reports with ease.

• PaperCut MF - a print job accounting and management software solution that can work with both single function and multifunction printers with OKI's smart Extendable Platform. The software helps organizations save money on excess and unauthorized printing by creating a secure and confidential printing environment.

• School Communications Pack - a DVD filled with more than 100 pre-designed teaching tools and templates for educators to be used with the banner printing capabilities of OKI's HD digital color printers.

• OKI MotionPrint - a solution that allows users to print documents from compatible mobile devices to specific OKI printers and MFPs.

Among the aforementioned products, our up-votes will probably be for the PaperCut MF software, since it aids on preventing excessive and unnecessary printing which leads to waste. Additionally, it's a very cost-efficient solution for schools that would like to save more money from school supplies and equipment or perhaps reduce the expenses. It's also a bright idea to educate their students about green printing practices and the ecological impacts of the print industry on our environment. If it's possible for us to teach them and let kids take in the significance of responsible printing, then let's take all the opportunities. Furthermore, introducing them to some recycled school supplies and products that might be useful for schooling is an excellent idea. Products such as recycled notebooks, pens, paper materials, and also those eco-friendly toner cartridges and ink cartridges for their school's new printer if in case they're planning to avail any of the OKI printers that will be featured in the conference.

When it comes to printing one must be ready with the expected and unexpected expenses that may arise along with maintaining a printer. At first you might not be able to notice this but actually purchasing such device will not count as the beginning, but rather by the time you have to get a replacement once the initial supplies run empty. A customer who owns a printer for such a long time is practically aware of how expensive print consumables can be. In fact, they said that if try to pile or sum up all the receipts and cost you spent over a year from buying cartridges, you might just drop your jaw. That's where the idea came from, that -- you would rather get a new printer that comes with a set of free cartridges instead of purchasing a set of replacements.

One of the simplest and ideal way to considerably make the expense lower is to start using recycled printer supplies. These products are definitely not associated to those substandard consumables. Compatible cartridges are also different from recycled supplies, nor it's not even related to refilled cartridges, not at all.

Recycled printer cartridges are made from used or empty ink and toner consumables which are basically reused to manufacture new original supplies. Once a cartridge runs empty on ink or toner, it's just the consumable inside it that was spent. While the components are still reusable and in good working conditions, manufacturers along with their recycling programs accept returned supplies such as cartridges and even old printers. Some organizations would be more glad to give rewards to anyone who participate in their programs by simply returning their printer's spent cartridges or again even the machine itself once it reaches it's end-of-life.

Post-consumer cartridges are not the only ones that undergo recycling process, paper products particularly the supplies we used for printing purposes can also be recycled. Whether you're using a printer in the office or at home, wouldn't it be more convenient in your part if your device is using cost-efficient and environment friendly recycled toner cartridges or ink cartridges, plus those recycled paper materials?

Again, it's not hard to switch to green printing practices and it wouldn't break the bank or cost you more, than keep on using highly expensive replacements. The market has a lot to offer, but remember although there's an abundant of supplies to choose from, cheaper doesn't always mean ideal and you have to learn how to dig inside a mixed bag. It's either you fall into the right retailer or end up wasting your money from fraud manufacturers.

Printing, especially in any office or working environment, is a daily task that not only create printouts but it also generate waste and mounting expenses. But do you know what are the things or possible ways that you can apply whenever printing, in order to reduce or probably get rid of such problems with your printer? Also, are you aware of your machines extra economical features that might help you cut down the expenses and negative environmental impacts that come along with using electronic devices?

Limiting the number of times you print per day is possible, however it's not always applicable in a daily basis, considering that there are unexpected reports and paper works you might encounter at any time. Though this might not be a good suggestion for photography enthusiast since it's actually a different issue.

Being green is one of the best things you can do for free with all the decision depending on your own will. Hence adapting these helpful ideas and techniques can help you save time and money particularly in printing.

As a standard font-size, 12 is obviously the one we often use, provided that texts are more easy to read at this size. But a file with lengthy of text will tend to consume more inks and paper materials, thus scaling down the font-size to 11 or at least to 10 is almost considerable. Such fonts are still readable, plus you not only consumed less inks/toners but paper sheets as well.

From font-size we go to font-style. Are you aware of those fonts that eat up unnecessary amount of inks? It's not that you shouldn't use them at all, but as much as you can avoid those, then it would be better. Unless you really want some curls and tails in each letters of your document, but don't complain if you frequently replenish your machine's consumables. Suggested font-styles to use are : Arial, Courier, Times New Roman and Garamond, these are just some of the considered economical fonts that help save inks.

Econo-mode or grayscale printing is a feature that not all printers support.If you use it by default with your printer, the useful life of the cartridges installed in it might be stretched. If your printer has this feature you can enable it through this steps:

• On the File menu in the software program, click Print .
• Select the appropriate product, and then click Properties or Preferences .
• On the Paper/Quality tab, select FastRes1200 or 600dpi .
• Select the EconoMode check box.
• Click OK .

Additionally, you can opt for remanufactured toner cartridges and ink cartridges to significantly reduce the overall operating cost of your printer. Plus, the environment will definitely give a thumbs up for switching to eco-friendly supplies.

Printer cartridges recycling programs are available worldwide, returning options may vary depending on your respective manufacturer. To those who are continuously using Hewlett-Packard consumables particularly ink and toner cartridges, here are the ways on how you can participate in their supplies recycling program.

HP Planet Partners is offering two convenient ways for you to participate, choose from the options below:

Drop It Off
Look for the nearest retail location available in your area that accepts original postconsumer printer cartridges. HP has thousands of authorized retail collection locations nationwide, mainly through Staples, OfficeMax, Walmart, and Office Depot. While some of these participating stores only accept either HP inks alone, or both HP inks and toners, it would be ideal to bring both. In addition, aside from contributing in the environment's sustainability, returning your cartridges through these stores will let you earn rewards redeemable towards purchases.

Mail It In
Postage-paid shipping materials can either be printed or requested from HP. But before you order one, make sure you already checked their list of Authorized Retail Collection Location to ensure that ordering a postage-paid shipping material is the only way available. To order a shipping material check out this page -- HP Supplies Recycling. It's easy and convenient, all the steps and necessary information are provided on the page, and you'll be guided throughout the whole process. There are three easy steps to follow : Order what you need, Package for shipping, Send in to HP.

These options are only available in the United States, and may still vary depending on your location or state. If by any chance your area is not yet supported by HP's Planet Partners recycling program, you can still practice green printing through using eco-friendly toner cartridges or ink cartridges which are recycled from used printer consumables.

HP aids in reducing ecological impacts through this recycling program and since its absolutely free, everyone has no reason not to participate. But basically it is a matter of your own choice, it depends on your decision whether to join and give your used cartridges a second life, or just let them end up as land fillers.

A sustainable workplace with environment friendly system is perhaps one of the most essential idea that a business owner should consider, especially when you're business or company is struggling with the economic crisis.

Let's try to put it this way, your company as the forest, and the employees are the trees. How can you make a living from trees? Simply let them grow healthy and lively provided that you facilitate and take care of them, and soon you'll have a good harvest.

It's easy to let yourself become environmentally friendly and so does a company. If you think turning a workplace into a greener environment sounds breaking the bank, probably you haven't thought of these simple ways below:

Reduce energy consumption
It would be nice habit to turn off any machine or device when not in use, or ideally unplug them from the source outlet. Do you know that an appliance may still consume 5% of energy from the power source even when it's off? If your employees are not used to doing such task, then implementing it would be necessary.

Invest to make less
You can still have the same quality and functionality with machines that offer low energy consumption. Well, if you haven't check the energy-saving rates of your office equipments then now's the chance to do it. High-end devices nowadays offer much energy-saving features, especially with office-centric machines. Hence, investing for new office equipments will drive more savings in the long run, instead of keeping those old energy-eating machines.

Cut with no but
Office supplies are essential in any working environment, however too much use of these materials is not healthy. For example, printing drafts and test pages can be prevented, thus it can cut down the waste and expense that it generates. Unless your company knows how to properly recycle, not dispose, paper products. It's also a good thing to consider using recycled paper products for printing purposes, or even equipped your printing machines with eco-friendly toner cartridges and ink cartridges for more economical savings.

Recycle and upcycle
Boost your employees creativity, how bout conduct an annual competition where everyone can participate on creating the most eco-friendly whatsoever. Say, a contest that promotes recycling, this isn't a costly activity for the whole company.

Discipline is a key factor to achieve these goals. It's a long and gradual process that not everyone may adapt, but still it's worth to try than doing nothing for your company.

Paper materials or paper products whatever you call it, they're basically made from wood. Albeit there are many ways to recycle them, there ain't much ways to bring them back to their original form or state. But with Andrej Malinin, a Swedish clever designer who used newspapers and colorful pages of paper waste for her recycling project which aims to create a compostable furniture as durable as a real wood.

The output was superbly unique, sturdy and hard as wood with texture and appearance that resembles lumber or timber. Malinin just basically glued thousands of paper layers using a water-based adhesive, and the output was incredibly awesome that it actually mimic a wood. His wonderful creation was entitled "Back To Wood" by the designer himself which definitely implies the true interpretation of Malinin's recycling project.

Come to think of it, if it's really as strong and durable as what they claimed, that it can withstand pressure and several factors that a real wood can endure. Then wouldn't it be nice to create your own table or rack by recycling tons of paper materials which eventually will turn as waste? Of course there are considerations and certain limits to which you should be mindful given that it's not really made out of wood. Perhaps like using it for your table top decorations or flower vases. Another good idea is to create a computer rack or a printer rack, where you can place your printing machine into a naive and environment friendly stand.

Say, in the office, there are hundreds of paper waste or drafts or printouts that you can collect and recycle for this purpose. Why don't you make a framework, like I said for a printer equipment, since it's kind of light and small. Additionally, it's the printer that mostly generate paper waste in any office and businesses, hence it's ironic to use its waste for a good purpose. If being eco friendly really matters to you, plus, crafting and nifty recycling projects are just your stuffs, then it's worthy to try making your own version of Malinin's Back to Wood creation. Then another good suggestion you may consider is by using eco-friendly toner cartridges or ink cartridges with your printer, as well as recycled paper products when printing. You can cut down the bills and expenses accrued annually, and most importantly, save and protect the environment.

Three-dimensional printing or commonly called as 3D printing technology has definitely made a mark in the field of advance technology. It may be quite intriguing and a bit unbelievable, but indeed 3D printing particularly the machines used by this innovation, can create anything that any human can imagine.

Just like an entry level breakthrough, before three-dimensional printing is quoted as an equipment for mass production of products, items and similar stuffs. Plastic filaments or plastic materials were used in it's early stage, but nowadays, 3D printers can now be utilized to produce things made out of wood and metal. Don't be surprise cause technology is what we're talking about here, and advancements is the only constant thing in the world of technology.

In the recent months, there were news about a 3D printer used to create human organs through stem cell or something like that. Guns and deadly weapons aren't just rumors, they're actually made using 3D printing as well. Additionally, concrete houses and structures were built through the same technology.

Putting some green touch in this technology is likewise possible. In fact there were machines developed to produce plastic filaments for 3D printers by simply recycling plastic waste materials. So in a way, 3D printing technology also helps the environment. In addition, aside from plastic materials as filament, wood, salt, and paper materials are now being used as alternative 3D printer filaments.

Traditionally, substances that contain chemicals or harmful toxins that negatively affect the environment were required in the production of three-dimensional printing. But since they probably realized the amount of plastic waste generated and ending up in the landfills, such measures have been designed. A brilliant team from Emerging Objects, founded by Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello, conducted an experiment that used salt and wood to create a 3D printed material as strong as a concrete. What else can you get from green materials, nothing but environment friendly objects right?

To those who are using conventional printers for their daily printing needs, and may want to switch to environment friendly printing, then opt for eco friendly toner cartridges and ink cartridges for your printer. They offer the same performance and quality, and what's best, these consumables are way more affordable than branded cartridges.

Canon does have a number of recycling programs to help preserve our environment. While these programs are still aiding in sustainability, they coexist with what we called as sustainable printers. Along with Canon's dedication to support environmental protection and the likes, the company recently released one of their latest printer that supports green printing with the ImageRunner Advance C5240i.

What makes it different among the other conventional printers is that, the C5240i was built through organic plastic materials from renewable biomass components.Bio-plastic materials as we all know has a property that can't stand high heat levels especially the generated heat from a printing machine. Due to this innovation, Canon's imageRunner Advance C5240i printer was acknowledge and obtain awards from Energy Star, TEC2 and EPEAT. It was absolutely worthy to achieve the Gold rating from EPEAT, the highest rating that could be achieved. In addition, through the printer's 1 Watt energy consumption when in Sleep Mode, it's certainly enough to be called a green printer.

With all those environment friendly features that you won't always find in any printer, its performance is surprisingly far better than you might have thought. Its print speed is quite impressive, rated at 40 pages per minute in mono printing, and 35ppm in color mode. It also offer a nice and adjustable color touchscreen LCD which is generally useful when the machine is set as a standalone copier.

It may seem unusual to hear some news about a printer made from bio-plastic materials, but you know, technology has a lot more to improve and will eventually offer us the things we thought would be impossible for such purpose, then prove us wrong. Imagine this green printer and you're using recycled toner cartridges, a machine made from renewable substances that uses consumables from reused materials, our world would be grateful to have them both.

Printers and all technologically produce materials, they all contribute in Global warming, actually even those that are not made through the wonders of technology. There are several factors that may contribute in Global warming, hence if there's anything that might help on reducing such negative impacts, we must take advantage of it no matter what.

Are you familiar to some international standards and certifications a company or organization may received or have, to be claimed as environment friendly? These green credentials defines the effectiveness of their products as being environmentally oriented. If your printer or supplies either has one of the following or probably have a few of these, then you're more than lucky to print the eco-friendly way.

A certificate that's based with the international standard, the ISO 14001 or ISO 14001 EMS (Environmental Management Standards) aids on reducing negative ecological impacts of various organizations and operations. There are laws and regulations related to environment preservation from which they must comply to improve and obtain the ISO 14001 Certificate. Being the most valued green certificate, money is not the only factor involved to achieve such credential, time and dedication must be invested as well.

Another worthy and honored certification is the FSC ( Forest Stewardship Council ) is an independent organization that provides internationally recognized certification to companies that promote the same mission to responsibly protect the world's forestry. Printer manufacturers are not the only ones that can be certified by FSC, even paper manufacturers may obtain it.

A certification system similar to FSC is the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), the world's largest forest certification system. One of the forest certification standard that grants an eco-label to PEFC certified companies and organizations, which can be easily identified by most consumers.

Do you know that Hewlett-Packard printing solutions and paper products are both FSC and PEFC certified? Aside from the Energy Star marks that you can find in every machines, HP oaths to reduce the impacts of their company on the environment particularly in the printing industry.

Some recycled paper products may have less quality that is suitable for printing, however a paper product that has been FSC, SFI and PEFC certified ensures the best output while producing less environmental impacts to the environment. Companies and manufacturers that have satisfied the standards and requirements of these certifications and laws, have demonstrated a commendable and laudable effort on helping in the sustainability of our forestry around the world.

Perhaps by now, you can at least conclude if your printing practices, as well as the machine and supplies you're using is truly environment friendly or not. Paper materials used for printing are available in recycled types, even the consumables that printer uses are recycled. Printer manufacturers are producing eco-friendly toner cartridges and ink cartridges to prolong sustainability, these products are also bounded by laws and quality test to reassure their customers about the quality and performance of their products.

Some people used to have collectible items, others are just making it a habit to keep something then eventually it became a collection. Whatever your collection may be, it can be a nifty hobby to collect valuable things and stuffs that define who you are. Our today's collection isn't something unusual to many, indeed these are just simple things to consider, but rarely given importance.

Actually this collection or rather list isn't new, you can find more of it by simply browsing the net, but I prefer to have my own list. PrintGreen promotes environment friendly resources, topics and ideas, hence our collection should relate to eco friendly stuffs as well. You can't always get to read a post about recycled products, while politics or some sort of it are very common elsewhere. Perhaps you could spare a moment of your time reading this shortlist.

Recycled Paper Materials
In its early times, recycled paper products are basically costly for a reason from which I'm not very particular. But let's live the past, nowadays such materials are of low prices and even better. Let's be thankful to the market competition, recycled paper materials became less expensive and more long lasting.

Recycled Pencils
If you think that recycling is just for papers, then what can you say with these recycled pencils which are made from reused materials? There were variations like pencils made from magazine materials, scrap woods, and other biodegradable components.

Recycled Ballpens
I kinda like this one, the Bottle-2-Pen ballpens from Pilot. They're not just made from recycled PET bottles or drinking bottles, they also have the same texture and grip similar to an actual water bottle. Aren't they look nice, unless you don't want to have a fancy and a bit bulky ball-pen to use for school.

Recycled Notebooks
Since there are recycled paper materials available, manufacturers tried producing notebooks and binders through such materials. They're practically more efficient, with covers that are really sturdy and customizable. Aside from notebooks, there are also notepads made from recycled materials. Actually, making your own recycled notebook is very much easy, just gather those old notes of yours and see if there are blank pages which can still be used. Remove the spring or the stitch, whatever binds it, then compile all the blank pages and stitch it back, and there you have it.

Recycled Printer Cartridges
Printing is a staple task, hence we should be mindful of our own practices. Using original cartridges may result to an extensive recurring expense, and one possible way to turn the tide is by opting for less costly printer consumables, and these are the so called recycled toner cartridges and ink cartridges.