The “Green” TSP100ECO POS Printer from StarMicronics: An Ecofriendly Option for Saving Energy and Paper

StarMicronics recently introduced the TSP100ECO printer for point-of-sale use in printing receipts.

Carrying the Energy Star rating, the company’s website states that the TSP100ECO printer brings environmental benefits including:

• 75 percent reduction in power consumption compared to standard Star printers
• Halogen-free recycled plastics for the cover unit
• Recycled and eco-friendly packaging. Star has eliminated all polystyrene from the ECO box and replaced it with innovative cardboard packaging.
• A five-year pre-paid manufacturer's carbon offset program to help protect the environment

Christophe Naasz, Director of Marketing at Star noted that the TSP100ECO printer helps reduce receipt paper use – up to 70 percent. “This is a huge benefit to retailers, not only in paper costs, but also employee down-time in terms of fewer roll changes and lower transportation and logistic costs,” he stated.

The company, founded in 1950 and based in Japan, draws on expertise from global talent (North and South America, Europe, Russia, India, Middle East, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand). As a corporate policy, Star looked internally for meeting the needs of customers who wanted an eco-friendly POS printer. The result is a completely “green” printer from the plastic housing through the internal components and the paper receipts.

“Every single person put their experience and knowledge of green production into this product,” said Naasz. “The result was surprising – just the fact that it was eco-friendly changed our end-sales results dramatically.”

The software is designed to produce an “Operator Prompt” at the point of sale to ask the customer if they need a receipt.  The receipt can then be either cancelled (another cost savings in paper) or printed.  All cancelled receipts are saved graphically and can be reviewed or reprinted. (Note from StarMicronics: not all countries will allow this feature so the software may be modified on a regional basis)

From a retailer’s perspective, the TSP100ECO printer is a simple “plug and play,” out-of-the-box solution, with PC software-supported functionality. Features include a fast “drop-in and print” paper loading mechanism, with all set-up accessories included in the box at purchase. The unique futurePRNT™ software is also included. 

And from a reseller’s perspective, the TSP100ECO printer meets most if not all resale objectives; primarily that it will function with all levels of Windows from 98 and on up and is the only POS printer to date to have WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certification. This certification assures customers that software and/or hardware was successfully tested with Windows operating systems. Linux, MAC, other operating systems are easily integrated to the TSP100ECO printer’s configuration. The green printer is the same cost with the same specs as the company’s comparable printer, but with the added feature of being eco-friendly.

As a company heavily involved in IT-related technologies and the manufacturing and assembly of miniature high-precision devices, Star Micronics acknowledges the importance of engaging in environmental management activities and has invoked eco-friendly practices as an integral part of its operations. This philosophy forms the basis of efforts to carry out operations in harmony with the global environment and to play an active role as a responsible member of society. For more information about the company or its product lines, please visit www.starmicronics.com/

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