The Hidden Opportunity in Plain Sight

When people talk about workplace sustainability, it’s usually the big-ticket items that grab the attention, such as vehicle fleet electrification and solar panels. But some of the biggest gains are hiding in plain sight.

Take office printing. Long seen as a cost to manage or a function to streamline, it’s now under closer scrutiny, especially from public sector frameworks increasingly focused on lifecycle emissions.

Even as organisations invest in low-energy hardware and more sustainable consumables, one critical metric remains under-discussed: Scope 3 emissions.

Understanding Scope 3 Emissions: The Unseen Majority

Most organisations track Scope 1 and 2 emissions: those produced directly from operations or through purchased energy. But for many, these only scratch the surface of their environmental impact.

The real emissions story lies in Scope 3: indirect emissions from purchased goods and services, transportation, and end-of-life product treatment. For the average business, Scope 3 can account for over 80% of its total carbon footprint.

And shrinking this impact is no longer a voluntary pursuit. Regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are raising the bar for environmental disclosure. In the UK, public sector bodies, including the NHS, are increasingly requiring suppliers to share transparent Scope 3 data.

That includes, perhaps unexpectedly, your office printers.

Commitment Beyond Compliance

As a Ricoh Partner, we understand that sustainability has never been a tick-box exercise. It’s a strategic priority. And it’s been that way for decades. Back in 1976, Ricoh became one of the first companies in the world to launch a dedicated environmental department.

At KBS, we’ve committed to:

• Net-zero Scope 1 and 2 by 2040
• 90% reduction in Scope 3 by 2050

But our ambitions go beyond our own operations. We’ve invested in solutions and vendors that help our customers reduce their emissions, too.

The Ricoh Sustainability Services Dashboard, developed with climate technology partner Watershed, gives customers clear visibility into the print-related emissions from their devices. These actionable insights support smarter, lower-carbon decision-making.

The IMC Range: Designed for Circular Impact

The IMC range of multifunction printers is built with sustainability at its core. Each device in the range reflects our commitment to reducing embedded carbon and enabling smarter, lower-impact workplaces. Key features include:

• Modular design: Instead of replacing the whole device during upgrades, swappable components and software updates extend the product’s life.
• Remanufacturing-ready: Devices are designed to be easily disassembled, cleaned and refurbished – perfectly aligned with circular economy principles.
• Recycled materials: Many plastic parts are made from recycled materials, reducing emissions during production.
• Energy-efficient operation: Fast wake-up times, efficient toner usage and intelligent power management come as standard.

The result? Independent testing shows the IMC range delivers up to 50% lower lifecycle carbon emissions than many competitor devices. That includes manufacturing, transport, operation and end-of-life. Everything that makes up Scope 3.

Why It Matters Now

Procurement teams, particularly in health, education, and government, are under growing pressure to demonstrate emissions reductions across the lifecycle of the products they buy.

Choosing an MFP and a Managed Services Provider with a significantly lower embedded carbon footprint is no longer just a smart option. In many sectors, it’s becoming a procurement necessity. But there’s also a competitive angle. Early adopters can gain real ground: on tenders, on ESG performance, on cost efficiency. The first-mover advantage is real, and it’s happening now.

Not sure where to get started? Compare MFPs here

Choosing for the Future

This isn’t just about replacing printers. It’s about redefining what responsible procurement looks like. Every purchase is a climate decision. And when a single device can cut your carbon footprint in half without increasing cost or compromising performance, it’s a decision worth spotlighting.

If you’re ready to reduce your organisation’s emissions, we can help. Want to find out more about our environmental credentials or talk to our team to understand how your print environment could help you meet your carbon goals quietly, effectively, and sooner than you think.