Toshiba Tec's Loops Copier System Erases Printed Paper, Allows You to Reuse Paper

Toshiba Tec recently debuted a new eco-friendly copy machine that allows users to erase printed documents and reuse them as blank sheets of paper, reducing the carbon footprint in the process. This is actually a brilliant idea because, if you're like me, you always end up having a lot of papers you've printed off that you can't use anymore. Sure you can throw them away or recycle them, but this allows you to reuse them, not only making for a greener experience but also saving you tons of money on paper.

Known as the Loops Copier System, this device is the first of its kind and combines two separate machines: a special toner that uses erasable ink and a machine that applies heat to wipe the paper clean. The system also has the capability to erase as many as 30 sheets per minute, cutting down on the amount of paper used by nearly 80% compared to standard copiers. As soon as the documents are erased, the machine sorts through all the printouts and eliminates damage paper from the system. In addition to that, each sheet can be reused up to five times.

Loops is a part of a larger push by Toshiba Tec to produce eco-friendly products that drastically reduce a company's carbon footprint by using less energy and making efficient use of resources. What's more is that the copier system alone slashes carbon dioxide emissions of standard machines by almost 60%, according to Toshiba Tec. The Loops Copier System is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in February 2013 for an estimated retail price of ¥1.41 million, or over $17,000. Toshiba Tec plans to sell the green system in other countries under a different name starting in May of 2013. Source: ABC News - Eco-Friendly Copier Erases Printouts

Toshiba Tec Develops Erasable Ink Copier

Going green has been the song and dance of many a company over the past several years. With growing concerns about the environment and the planet, activists and celebrities have been relentlessly trying to get the world to cut down on pollution and wastefulness. Thankfully, many companies have adhered to this new way of thinking, challenging themselves to build better, more eco-friendly and efficient products.

One of the big things that can help with this is cutting down on paper usage. A lot of companies are reducing their physical paper usage, opting for digital documents instead. However, there are still times where physical paper is a necessity. That is why Toshiba Tec has designed a printer that makes use of a specially designed erasable toner. This special toner can be easily erased from the paper, allowing you to reuse the same paper over and over again in the same printer. The best part is that you don't need a special kind of paper either, traditional copier paper works just fine.

Basically, the special toner used by Toshiba Tec is of a specific design that loses its color when heat is applied. All you have to do is take your already printed paper and feed it into the copier. The copier will then heat up the paper to erase the ink, giving you a blank sheet of paper to reuse. Even though the ink is gone, however, the imprint of the printing process is still there, meaning you should avoid sticking anything sensitive or private into the copier.

You should know that only papers printed from this device will be able to be erased by this device. That means you can't reuse those annoying fliers you find on your windshield after coming out of the mall. You will also need to remember not to leave your documents in hot environments either because, obviously, heat makes the ink disappear. You can check out a video of the copier in action below, but tell us what you think. Is this something you would be interested in?



Source: Ubergizmo - Toshiba Tech copier system uses erasable ink
The Gadgeteer - Concept: Toshiba's Erasable Toner Copier

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