Epson to End All Laser Printer Sales by 2026

(Photo: Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler/Wikimedia Commons)Epson, the Japanese hardware giant best known for their printers, has decided to end its laser printer division. This is due to sustainability concerns. The company has decided to cease selling laser printer hardware until 2026. The company will instead focus on its more environmentally-friendly inkjet printers, according to a statement obtained by The Register. The company has stopped selling laser printers in America, but it maintained its line in other markets such as Europe and Asia. While consumers won’t be able buy new Epson printers in the United States starting 2026 however, Epson promised to continue to support existing customers through spare parts and supplies.

Epson claims that its inkjets produce 85 percent less CO2 than laser units, and are up to 85 per cent more efficient than their laser units. Although these statistics may not be relevant to those who print occasionally at home, they can help businesses and non-profit organizations reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs.

Inkjets require less single-use resources. Inkjets use only ink and waste ink boxes, whereas laser printers depend on toner, fusers and developer. Inkjet printers produce almost 60% less e-waste compared to their laser counterparts. However, their production is also kinder to the environment: one toner cartridge can be made by burning half a gallon to a full gal of oil.

The decision to end all laser printer sales is likely a part of Epson’s “Environmental Vision 2050,” a circular economic model the company first committed to in 2018 and revised last year. Its biggest focus is Epson’s promise to become carbon-negative and “underground resource free” by 2050.

That said, inkjet printers aren’t the definitive solution to sustainable printing that Epson would like consumers to believe them to be. Inkjet cartridges can dry quickly, which means that some printer owners end up buying more ink than they use. Inkjet printing can be more expensive per page. This means that the energy savings gained by getting rid of a laser printer may not be offset by any actual use. Epson has been in serious trouble for forcing printer users to visit an authorized technician to repair their damaged machines. Some Epson L360, L130, L220, L310, and L365 users even have to replace their machines altogether, which only puts more money in Epson’s pocket while producing seemingly unnecessary e-waste.

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