So, the other day in one of our random brainstorms, someone brought up a green idea that came from Xerox: Disappearing ink so that the paper can be reused. Interesting, I thought. Xerox, the company that makes machines that make ridiculous amounts of paper - which can then be recycled or thrown away - has demonstrated ink which will disappear so that you will then have to reprint your paper because you can't find it and need the info. Phew. That was a long thought. And very not grammatically correct.
According to the article, which appeared in April of last year, "[Xerox] Scientists demonstrated paper that can be reused after printed text automatically deletes itself from the paper's surface within 24 hours. Instead of trashing or recycling after one use, a single piece of paper can be used a second time, and reused up to 100 times."
That article came out about eight months ago, and I haven't been able to find anything on their website about whether or not the ink ever went into production for general consumer use. Personally, I think it's an intersting idea, but not overly effective. I mean, really now, I have a horrible problem with being disorganized, so what am I going to do when I print out a key paper and it disappears? Why print out another one (on the same, now not printed on paper). Eh. Step in the right direction, but I'm not sold.
What are your thoughts? Would something like this work? What are some other somewhat strange, green ideas from big corporations that you've heard of? Let us know?
3 comments:
Hmm, interesting idea, this disappearing ink. A few things:
I think this would prove to be a waste-saver in the workplace, but not many places more.
There's a lot of waste associated with printing out agendas for meetings that won't be relevant by the next day, so disappearing ink for this purpose makes sense to me.
Also- driving directions- we usually only print these out for one-time trips and we return within 24 hours, so there's a use for it there as well.
But, for most other purposes, we print things out to have records of them, thus needing them to last more than 24 hours.
Here's an idea: how about manufacturing a solution (think: spray, machine) to "erase" ink from a page?
This gives us more control over which printed pages we want to reuse again.
If not for personal use, then I see a huge value-add for the recycling industry.
Just a thought.
I absolutely love it, Moe. Perhaps we should contact Xerox and suggest your plan. Hey, maybe you can even get a patent for it! Thanks for checking out our blog!
Moe,
Hi, I am working over a similar concept and has developed an ink that does make our paper usage eco-friendly. This particular ink disappears from the paper after a period of few hrs without leaving a trace of the same. Whats more? u can even trace back the info that may have lost after the ink has disappeared by using a very usual soap solution available in superstores. Lemme know if u need more info.
Ankit Shah
scrumpyjack83@gmail.com
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