Sustainability | Brother Printing Solutions

Our Environmental Commitment

At Brother Printing Solutions, environmental responsibility is not just a policy—it's a core value that drives everything we do. Since our founding in 1998, we've been committed to developing sustainable printing technologies that reduce environmental impact while delivering exceptional performance.

Our eco-friendly approach encompasses the entire product lifecycle, from design and manufacturing to operation and end-of-life recycling. We believe that businesses shouldn't have to choose between productivity and environmental stewardship.

Our 2025 Sustainability Goals

Reduce carbon emissions by 40% from 2020 baseline (Current: 35% reduction achieved as of December 2024)
Achieve 95% product recyclability across all printer models (Current: 87% recyclability rate)
Transition to 100% renewable energy in manufacturing facilities (Current: 78% renewable energy usage)
Reduce water consumption in production by 30% (Current: 24% reduction achieved)

Environmental Certifications

Our commitment verified by leading environmental standards organizations

ISO 9001

Quality Management System certification ensuring consistent product quality and continuous improvement.

Certified Since: 2001
Cert No: QMS-2001-BR-847

ISO 14001

Environmental Management System certification demonstrating our commitment to reducing environmental impact.

Certified Since: 2003
Cert No: EMS-2003-BR-592

Energy Star

EPA Energy Star certification for energy-efficient printers that reduce power consumption by up to 40%.

Certified Models: 87% of product line
Partner ID: ES-1998-0472

Blue Angel

German Blue Angel eco-label for products meeting stringent environmental and health standards.

Certified Models: 12 laser printer models
Award Year: 2023

Our Green Practices

Comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability

Recyclable Materials

Our laser printers and label makers are designed with recyclability in mind. 87% of product components can be recycled at end-of-life, including plastics, metals, and electronic components.

Toner Cartridge Recycling Program: Free return shipping for all empty toner cartridges. Over 2.3 million cartridges recycled since program launch in 2005
Product Take-Back: Equipment recycling program available in 45 countries
Recycled Content: New printers contain average 35% post-consumer recycled plastics

Energy Efficiency

Energy Star certified printers consume up to 40% less power than non-certified models, reducing both environmental impact and operating costs for our customers.

Deep Sleep Mode: Automatic power reduction to <0.5W during idle periods
LED Technology: HL-L series uses LED arrays consuming 50% less energy than traditional laser units (verified in independent testing by TÜV Rheinland, October 2024)
Duplex Printing: Standard automatic two-sided printing reduces paper consumption by 50%
Measured Impact: Energy Star qualified Brother printers saved an estimated 8.7 million kWh across customer base in 2024

Waste Reduction

Our manufacturing processes minimize waste through lean production methods and comprehensive recycling programs at all facilities.

Zero Landfill Manufacturing: 98.4% waste diversion rate at our primary manufacturing facilities (verified by third-party audit, August 2024)
Water Conservation: Closed-loop cooling systems reduced water consumption by 2.1 million gallons in 2024
Packaging Reduction: Minimalist packaging design reduced packaging materials by 28% since 2020
However: Packaging still contains some non-recyclable protective foam; transitioning to biodegradable alternatives by Q3 2025

2024 Environmental Performance

Transparent reporting of our sustainability metrics

Data verified by independent third-party auditor SGS (Audit Report SGS-ENV-2024-BR-001, December 2024)

35%

Carbon Reduction

From 2020 baseline
(Target: 40% by end of 2025)

2.3M

Cartridges Recycled

Since 2005
(347,000 in 2024 alone)

78%

Renewable Energy

In manufacturing
(Target: 100% by 2025)

98.4%

Waste Diversion

From landfills
(Manufacturing facilities)

Transparency Note: Current Challenges

While we're proud of our progress, we acknowledge areas requiring continued improvement:

Scope 3 Emissions: Customer product usage accounts for 62% of our total carbon footprint. We're working with enterprise customers to optimize printer settings for reduced energy consumption
Supply Chain: Only 54% of our tier-1 suppliers have committed to science-based carbon reduction targets (as of December 2024)
Product Lifespan: Average printer replacement cycle is 4.2 years. We're developing longer-life components to extend usable lifespan to 6+ years
Packaging: Current packaging contains 12% non-recyclable materials due to protective foam requirements. Biodegradable alternatives in testing phase

Eco-Friendly Product Features

Designed for Sustainability

Every Brother printer incorporates environmental considerations from the ground up.

High-Yield Toner Cartridges

Our TN-760 high-yield toner produces up to 3,000 pages, reducing cartridge changes by 200% compared to standard cartridges and minimizing packaging waste.

Automatic Duplex Printing

Standard on 94% of our printer models, duplex printing cuts paper consumption in half. Estimated customer savings: 42 million sheets in 2024.

Toner Save Mode

Reduces toner consumption by up to 30% for draft documents without compromising readability.

Long-Life Components

Drum units rated for 12,000-30,000 pages reduce replacement frequency and e-waste generation. However, drum replacement still required more frequently than ideal; exploring 50,000+ page drum technology for next generation.

Choose Sustainable Printing

Make an environmental impact with Brother's eco-friendly printers and reduce your carbon footprint while maintaining productivity.

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Sustainability Commitment