Swipe card, save paper.
The introduction of ePrint has stemmed the increase in paper consumption the University has seen in recent years. Instead of printing directly to a specific printer, students must now swipe their DukeCards to see documents appear in hard copy. This innovative program has reduced waste but has not completely stopped the explosive surge in printing.
"Over the past few years, we've seen a steady growth in printing of at least 20 percent per year," said Jen Vizas, manager of Academic Technology Services, the branch of OIT that oversees the computer clusters. "We have to anticipate [continued growth]."
Vizas noted that in just three months, printers in the clusters have gone through roughly 3,000,000 sheets of paper, costing the University nearly $12,000. Other print consumables, such as toner and printer maintenance, also add to the expense of printing.
The numbers could be higher, however. With the introduction of ePrint, the number of sheets printed relative to this time last year has increased only 9 percent--less than half the growth experienced in recent years.
"There is a tremendous reduction in waste," Vizas said. "We don't see the stacks of paper like we used to see." She added that other benefits include an increase in the security of printed documents and a reduction in the frequency with which technology staff must restock printers.
Suggestions from student environmentalists spurred the adoption of the new printing system.
"We approached OIT last semester... asking them to look at what they're doing," said junior Channa Pickett, president of the Environmental Alliance. She said that the decrease in waste brought on by OIT's new system is a positive sign for activists.
Conservation methods could still improve, Pickett noted. She would like to see the clusters stop using "virgin paper"--paper that has not yet been recycled. She added that making students more aware of how to reduce paper consumption would also help.
"A lot of students don't really care, or feel like they aren't part of the problem when they are," Pickett said.
She suggested that introducing printing fees would force students to think about how much they print, but noted that simple changes could also make a big difference. For instance, students can choose to print on both sides of every sheet, a setting known as "duplex" printing.
"It would be helpful if they had next to the ePrint a poster explaining how to manipulate the settings... or just make duplex the standard," Pickett added.
Information technology staff are still considering making such changes. For now, Vizas said, the implementation of ePrint is still in "Phase I."
"The idea of the program was to start it in a few areas and hopefully extend it to the rest of campus," said Edward Gomes, senior IT manager for Perkins Library. He added that IT staff are currently looking with interest at the statistical information ePrint allows them to collect, deciding on their next steps.
Plans include expanding the program to other departments and introducing color printing, for a "nominal fee," probably over Christmas break, Vizas said. However, OIT does not intend to begin charging for black-and-white printing.
To further reduce waste, though, students will have to be aware and involved.
"Right now, I'm very happy with the decrease," Vizas said. But she added that in the quest for further improvement in conservation, the question is, "How do we get the word out there?"
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