PaperLab – First In-Office Paper Recycling Machine by Epson
Every office consists of A3 and A4-sized copy paper and with millions of sheets being used every day, many end up being recycled at an offshore recycling machine. As recycling paper is very important for the environment, Epson, the printer manufacturing giant, resolved to solve the issue involved with paper recycling processes which take into account the role of an extensive, external system in a collection facility, recycling facility and back. The company wanted to develop a streamlined process through a single machine which can recycle and re-use paper, while preserving water, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Epson recently developed the first in-office paper recycling machine called the PaperLab. This machine allows users to put waste paper in, and get white recycled printer paper out in just about three minutes! Within three minutes of adding waste paper to the machine, it gets out white sheets of new paper. One can generate 14 sheets of A4-sized paper per minute, and nearly 6,720 sheets in a workday of eight hours. The machine can also generate A3 paper and even thick paper for business cards.
Environment-Friendly Paper Production
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qLjmIo3ne8
Epson PaperLab is touted to be the world’s first paper production system with the help of a “dry process.” Since most processes use humungous water, but PaperLab requires only some water for maintaining humidity.
The focus is on two processes: fiberizing and binding. Fiberization involves turning of waste paper into thin cottony fibres, and actually a patented process since it also does not involve water. It is presumed that the process involves mechanical crushing and defibrating of paper and a gush of air to de-ink the bits.
The second process involves binding, where fibres are stitched together in different formats and papers – bright-white papers, fragrant paper and the like. It might feature reusable solvents too. The paper’s thickness and density are decided too. There are huge energy and cost savings involved with new paper along with savings with transportation. It has low energy consumption and is convenient too. With Dry Fiber Technology, the processes are completed in a trice.
Salient Features of PaperLab
- Office-based recycling process
With PaperLab, Epson helps in shortening and localizing a new recycling process right in the office itself.
- Secure destruction of office documents
Disposal of confidential documents has been a tough job and the shredding has to be clean too. With PaperLab, any enterprise can dispose of confidential documents onsite without handing it over to contractors, which is risky in itself. PaperLab breaks all sorts of documents into paper fibers and makes sure the info is lost completely.
- High-speed production of paper
PaperLab produces paper in three minutes from waste paper loaded into it, producing 14 A4 sheets per minute. Users can produce different types of paper of various sizes and thicknesses and use the same for business cards, color paper and the like.
- Environmental performance
PaperLab is an extremely environment-friendly option of making paper since it uses minimal water. A cup of water is wasted for producing one single sheet of A4-sized paper. With PaperLab, a dry process is implemented, reducing water wastage and simplifying the recycling loop.
- Boost in operational efficiency
Epson aims to boost operational efficiency by delivering high-speed, low-power printers that deliver images at very low cost per print. With PaperLab for recycling paper, the company is trying to change the way people think about paper and try to conserve resources.
The PaperLab is expected to be on sale in Japan this year, and although the figures involved are not revealed, it is expected to be priced at £50,000+.
Dhruvil is a Writer & Marketeer for Nimblechapps, joined in December 2014, based out of Sydney, Australia. He has worked briefly as a Branding and Digital Marketing Manager before moving to Australia. At Nimblechapps, he worked on Social Media Marketing, Branding, Email Marketing and Blogging. Dhruvil studies Business at University of Western Sydney, and also handles Operations for the company in Australia.