Xerox's Reusable Paper
by EcoGeek.org on 12. 4.06
Almost half of the paper used in American offices is for daily use. It is for display, not storage and, at the end of the day, it's in the trash can. All of the energy that was put into harvesting, processing, and shipping that paper was, in the end, for less than a day's use.
A number of companies are working on alternatives to this procedure. If paper is only used once, then why not create reusable paper? Most recently, Xerox unleashed a prototype printing system with printed sheets that erase themselves in preparation for their next day's work. Beyond the obvious uses in the top-secret, mission impossible sector, Xerox is hoping that the system will decrease the consumption of paper, and thus the cost of running an office.
Of course, the system isn't without its disadvantages. Offices would need to buy special paper and special printers to be used specifically for day-use projects. The sheets are automatically blank 16 hours after printing, so if you want that information again, you'll have to reprint. Also, the ink is light purple and the paper is yellow, making for less than ideal reading conditions.
The system is based on 'paper' that contains light sensitive materials. When exposed to certain wavelengths of light, the paper changes to a darker that then slowly fades. Neither the light-sensitive paper, nor the light printers are ready for consumers, but it's good to see Xerox working on alternatives to the amazing waste of today's offices.
This feels more like the treatment of a symptom than the cure of an ailment. Why are people finding the need to print out stuff to read once and discard, when they could just read it online?
For people who don't like reading things on screens, I would suggest they wait for digital paper to hit mainstream than continue to rely on ink and compressed fiber. For example eInk has developed (http://www.eink.com/products/matrix/High_Res.html) is a high-contrast display medium that can be reused indefinitely. Sony's eBook reader looks pretty cool, if I remember from Gizmodo's review.
Does anyone else worry about the use of this paper for fraud, as in disappearing contracts and checks? Though I guess the same could be said for the eraseable pens that came out in the 1980s.
There seem to be some burning questions here:
1. Exactly how many times can this paper be used before you have to throw it away?
2. What kind of compounds are used? Are they environmentally friendly? (I doubt it.)
3. How much will this cost? Businesses won't adopt this if it turns out to be cheaper than paper, especially if there's a good paper recycling program already in place.
This seems to be less of an environmental solution and more a way of trying to sell new technology that, while appearing to be good for the environment, isn't.
Simple solution: Don't print. When I have something I need folks somewhere else to see, I email it to them or use IM to send them the URL. Reading on a screen is just as easy for me as reading on paper.
Then again, I'm in front of a screen for 10+ hours a day between work and home, and I'm also eagerly awaiting Google Implant so I can look up obscure facts and driving directions during those pesky times when I'm not plugged in.
I think that once the boomers get out of business, we'll see paper use start to decline. One commonality between my parents and everyone else's Baby Bommer parents is that they like to have paper copies of things, not realizing the advantages that digital copies have.
My only question is, where does the ink go? Just like the soles of our shoes or our tires wear out and that material goes somewhere, this ink must go somewhere. Is it something that is safe to inhale? Is it safe to be used in research facilities? It sounds like a great idea I'd just like to hear a bit more.
It's a good idea that I hope takes off. Any little bit of help to preserve paper should be taken.
The kind of people who like to have daily stuff on paper would mostly not like it in 'light' purple on yellow, and the cost of special printers & papers wouldn't go too well with the admin budgets. Good Thinking. . .but we Need More to Meet the goal.
That seems amazing! Then it is possible to print all things and to keep happy with the boss :-)
I think this is another good news considering that paper is made of wood and I could not imagine how many wood being cut everyday just to make this paper which is being used for xerox. I think if this alternative to re use thre paper being used for xerox then it will surely become more useful.