Printers and sustainability have had a rocky history, as have many other manufacturing industries.  Over the years many printers have become more environmentally friendly because they had to. State or federal regulations or customers required it. The whole popularity of the environmental movement has come and gone a few times.

When times were tough low cost was more important than environmental friendliness. In the last few years it has returned, usually with a desire to save dwindling resources and promote a positive image about your company.

This time around it seems to have some legs. Most printers are presenting an environmentally friendly front. Chain of custody certification is now being required by many end users so they can prove to their customers that they are being responsible. These days how does a print buyer know if a printer is committed to the environment or just doing the minimum to put up a good front?