ROCHESTER, N.Y.--April 22, 2004-- As more print providers look to bring digital technology in to enhance their printing businesses, it becomes even more important to keep not only press technology but also environmental and employee safety issues in mind. In the spirit of Earth Day, Xerox Corporation is urging buyers to consider environmental and safety issues when evaluating digital printing technologies. "It's important to weigh the environmental aspects of today's printing technologies," said Anthony Federico, vice president, Platform Development, Xerox Production Systems Group. "We believe in earth-friendly manufacturing and design techniques. This is reflected in the DocuColor iGen3 Digital Production Press, which remains unchallenged as the industry's most 'green' machine." Digital presses such as the DocuColor iGen3 use non-toxic dry inks, create little waste and do not generate any hazardous waste (according to applicable waste regulations worldwide) or use hazardous materials. Up to 97 percent of the parts in the iGen3 can be recycled or remanufactured, and more than 80 percent, by weight, of the waste generated, including consumables such as empty toner bottles, waste developer, and packaging can be returned, reused or recycled. Emissions of chemicals such as ozone and dust are strictly controlled and are well below regulatory limits. Here are some questions to ask when comparing the environmental friendliness of a digital press: What type of waste does the press generate? Does the digital press use harmless, non-toxic dry ink? Or does it use inks, imaging oils and imaging agents where prolonged exposure can be an irritant to eyes or skin or cause other harm? With state-of-the-art digital presses that use dry ink, much of the waste created is so safe that it can be simply, and inexpensively, disposed of through normal recycling and waste management processes without concern of releasing potentially hazardous chemicals to the environment. Dry ink also adheres much better to paper and other media, at a rate approaching 100 percent, meaning less waste is generated. What about recyclable and remanufacturable parts? How much of the press may end up in a landfill? Check to see if the product has been designed to support multiple lifetimes and that it minimizes solid waste by using recyclable or remanufactured components. Does the press come with "extras" such as an eye-wash station? At times, there is more to a digital press than what is on display on a trade-show floor. Some digital presses may actually require "extras" -- including chillers, eye-wash stations and industrial-grade parts-washing stations -- to offset potential safety hazards. Many of these extras require installation within a certain radius of the press, or at a prescribed distance from the press to maintain an optimum operating environment, and this can create unforeseen difficulty for already space-constrained print operations. Where will the digital press be installed? Due to volatile organic chemicals used during operation, and the potential leakage of inks, some liquid ink digital presses may not be appropriate for businesses such as a corporate reprographics department, a financial services firm in a high-rise building, or a quick print company housed at a local shopping plaza. Unlike a digital press using dry ink, this means a press location may be limited to the first floor of a building or on a surface that can easily be cleaned of hazardous substances. What about noise, heat, and other emissions? For the safety of your press operator, be sure to ask your vendor about noise levels, heat emissions and other byproducts produced by the digital press that may impact the health, safety, and comfortable working environment of your employees. Xerox Corporation is committed to the protection of the environment and the health and safety of its employees, customers and neighbors. The company has received major environmental awards worldwide, and it has pioneered conservation and protective environmental policies well in advance of governmental regulations.