Lest we confuse "government printing" with the
Government Printing Office (GPO), I'd like to make it clear that the $440.4 million print savings opportunity identified by
Lexmark is NOT print under control of the GPO, but general office printing by federal employees.
In a report titled
2009 Government Printing Report, released May 12, 2009, Lexmark (provider of printing and imaging solutions for offices and homes, including printers, inkjet printers, and multifunction devices) took "a closer look at costs, habits, policies, and opportunities for savings" on government employee printing.
Key findings:
- The federal government spends nearly $1.3 billion annually on employee printing.
- Of these costs, the federal government spends $440.4 million each year on unnecessary printing.
- Despite perceptions of environmental priorities, Gen Y employees print nearly the same average number of pages per day as Boomer employees: 29 pages vs. 31 pages respectively.
- Both Gen Y and Boomers throw away or immediately recycle nearly the same daily percentages of pages printed: 31% vs. 34% respectively.
- Most agencies don't attempt to curb the expense: 89% of federal employees report that their agencies do not have formal printing policies in place.
- 69%of federal employees believe that their agencies' documentation processes could realistically be converted from paper trails to digital trails.
- Similarly, 64% acknowledge it would be possible for them to print less.
Our tax dollars at work...
Get a
copy of the report and learn more from Lexmark.
